WITHOUT F EAR OR FAVOUR

Nepal’s largest selling English daily Vol XXIX No. 127 | 8 pages | Rs.5 O O Printed simultaneously in Kathmandu, Biratnagar, Bharatpur and Nepalgunj 34.8 C 12.5 C Friday, June 25, 2021 | 11-03-2078 Simara Jomsom Article 76 (5) is meant for individual lawmakers—not parties, lawyers tell bench On the second day of hearing on House dissolution, advocates attempt to interpret the provision’s legislative intent and how it has been breached.

TIKA R PRADHAN the constitution],” said senior advo- KATHMANDU, JUNE 24 cate Raman Kumar Shrestha while pleading on behalf of the petitioners. On Thursday, the second day of hear- “This Article 76 (5) was envisioned to ing on the dissolution of the House of explore one more possibility to form a Representatives, the focus was on government by an individual lawmak- Article 76 (5), its interpretation and er after the parties fail. The only the legislative intent behind incorpo- intent was to make maximum efforts rating the provision. to save Parliament.” Almost all the lawyers arguing on Article 76 (5) comes into play when behalf of the plaintiffs were of the all other provisions—Articles 76 (1), view that Article 76 (5) was incorpo- (2) and (3) are exhausted, allowing an rated in the constitution with a view individual lawmaker to give one last to giving as long a life as possible to try to form a government so as to save the House, given the past experiences the House from untimely dissolution. of frequent dissolutions whenever the Article 76 (1) is about the leader of a prime minister wanted. party with majority in the House lead- Article 76 (5) states that in cases ing the government, while Article 76 where the prime minister appointed (2) calls for formation of a govern- under clause (3) fails to obtain a vote ment by a lawmaker who can prove a of confidence under clause (4) and any majority with the support of two or member under clause (2) presents a more parties. Article 76 (3) comes into ground on which he or she can obtain play when no one can form a govern- a vote of confidence in the House, the ment under Articles 76 (1) and (2), and President shall appoint such member in such a case, a leader of the party POST PHOTO: BEEJU MAHARJAN as Prime Minister. with the highest number of members The throne of Siddhinarsingh Malla is put on a day-long display at Krishna Mandir, the temple the king built in the 17th century, in Lalitpur on Thursday. On Jyestha Poornima every year, people This is the fourth provision that in the House can stake claim to the can observe the seat of the king who ruled over Patan and listen to the devotional songs he wrote. The ritual is believed to bring monsoon rains in Kathmandu Valley. At other times, the throne allows the government formation post of prime minister. is kept within the Malla Palace. after Article 76 (1), Article 76 (2) and In principle, it may look almost Article 76 (3). It, however, is complete- impossible for an individual to secure ly a far cry from the provisions that support of a majority of lawmakers are in place in other countries like the when the previous options have failed, United Kingdom and India where the but experts say since the provision is INSIDE parliamentary system is practised. in the constitution, it must be fol- Political mishandling aggravates According to lawyers, Article 76 (5) lowed—in letter and spirit. allows any Member of Parliament to Harihar Dahal, a senior advocate, stake claim to the post of prime minis- said Article 76 (5) was envisioned as a Floods continue to wreak ter if he or she thinks can prove a “shield” for Parliament, hinting that havoc in Manang majority. “Actually, Article 76(5) is the when it faced an imminent danger of most powerful weapon bestowed upon dying, the provision could save it. LAMJUNG: The residents of Manang, a vaccine uncertainty, experts say the Members of the Parliament [by >> Continued on page 2 mountain district in Gandaki Province, have had no respite from intermittent floods in the Marsyangdi Oli’s focus is on politics rather than governance, as he has river. There were massive floods in the river in Chame on Wednesday, been shuffling ministers, including at Health Ministry, and leaving a bailey bridge that links upper Manang to other parts of the there’s a lack of will, not resources, to arrange for the jabs. district at high risk of being swept away. The floodwaters overflowed through the bridge where some trees swept away by the flooded river are stuck. According to Narayan Kusum, chief at Veterinary Hospital and Livestock Service Centre in Manang, a building of Lokpriya Secondary School in the area, some houses of locals and a suspension bridge are also at the high risk of flooding. He said the river changed its course and flowed to the settlement. (Details on Pg 2)

President appoints 20 officials to constitutional bodies as case is sub judice in court KATHMANDU: Even while the recom- mendation for their appointments remains sub judice in the Supreme Court, President Bidya Devi Bhandari on Thursday appointed 20 chairs and members in 11 different constitutional commissions without POST FILE PHOTO Nepal’s vaccination scenario looked promising at start but vaccines aren’t coming in of late. the parliamentary hearing mandated by the constitution. The Constitu- ARJUN POUDEL tional Council had controversially AstraZeneca type vaccine, to buy 2 KATHMANDU, JUNE 24 recommended their appointments in million doses, it raised hopes. The 11 crucial constitutional bodies government said it would buy an addi- including the Public Service Commis- Of the several calls Dr Sarad Onta has tional 5 million doses “soon”. sion, Commission for Investigation of been getting lately, around half a Given the fact that the Serum Abuse of Authority and the Election dozen or so every day are from those Institute is the largest vaccine manu- Commission on May 9. Prior to the who want to know if he could help facturer in the world, there was no appointments, the Oli government on arrange the second dose of the room to doubt that Nepal would be May 4 issued an ordinance to amend Covishield vaccine. able to vaccinate as many people with- the Constitutional Council Act 2010 “Their concerns are genuine. They in months, if not in three months. allowing a majority of the council to think I can make some recommenda- With COVAX, the international vac- tions,” said Onta, a public health cine-sharing scheme backed by the hold its meeting. (Details on Pg 3) expert. “But I am helpless. I apologise United Nations, making a commit- to them and say I can barely do any- ment to provide around 13 million Nepal’s annual soybean oil thing.” doses, enough to inoculate 20 percent Around 1.4 million Nepalis aged 65 of the 30 million population, Nepal exports near Rs50 billion and above took the first dose of looked confident in its fight against KATHMANDU: Nepal’s soybean oil Covishield some four months ago– the coronavirus. exports to India hit a staggering between March 7 and March 15. As per COVAX commitment, 1.9 mil- Rs42.34 billion in the first 11 months With no stock of doses, the govern- lion doses were to arrive in Nepal by of the fiscal year, a four-fold jump ment has not been able to inoculate March. After the shipment of 348,000 from Rs10.12 billion in the same peri- them with the booster dose—a must doses on March 7, there is no commu- od last year, making it the country’s for better efficacy. nication from COVAX, except that an make export commodity. Experts say Despite being one of the first additional 348,000 could come by July. shipments could reach Rs50 billion by countries to launch the vaccination But as the coronavirus crisis deep- mid-July, due to the rent seeking men- drive against Covid-19, Nepal’s inocu- ened in India from March, it put a ban tality of Nepali traders and the eager- lation campaign has become a fiasco on exports of AstraZeneca vaccine. ness of the government to amass rev- now. Though government officials After supplying 1 million doses, the enue, which has allowed exporters to have been claiming that they are mak- Serum Institute told the Nepal govern- exploit loopholes in the zero tariff ing “utmost efforts” to get vaccines, ment about its inability to provide the privilege given to Nepal as a least there has not been any substantial remaining doses. Serum even suggest- developed country. (Details on Pg 5) development. ed that Nepal could take the money When Nepal started its vacci- back, if it wished so. There was no nation campaign on January 27 basis to believe Nepal could buy an with the 1 million doses of additional 5 million doses. Covishield provided by India “We are not in position to say any- under grant assistance, Prime thing about when the vaccines will Minister KP Sharma Oli had arrive,” said Dr Roshan Pokhrel, chief announced that all Nepalis specialist at the Health Ministry. would be inoculated within Apart from Covishield, Nepal has so three months. It was seemingly a far received 1.8 million doses of Vero wild claim. But in February, Cell, developed and manufactured by when the government signed a Sinopharm, a Chinese state-owned deal with the Serum Institute of company, under grant assistance from India, the manufacturer of the government of China. Covishield, which is the >> Continued on page 2

C M Y K FRIDAY, JUNE 25, 2021 | 02 NATIONAL Political mishandling aggravates vaccine ... Article 76 (5) is meant for ... >> Continued from page 1 “Why would you need Article 76 (5) >> Continued from page 1 non-disclosure agreement proposal ment put President Bidya Devi under the Health Ministry, told the “Article 76(5) was incorporated into then?” said Pandit. “It is very clear About three weeks after the second created some hurdles. A Cabinet meet- Bhandari forward. In what is Post. the constitution to save Parliament that Article 76 (5) is meant for individ- wave hit India, the pandemic snow- ing on June 14 approved the Health described by many as a bizarre move, In March, COVAX had communicat- from dying an untimely death if the ual lawmakers.” balled into a grave crisis in Nepal. Ministry’s proposal to buy 4 million President Bhandari wrote to her coun- ed to Nepal about possible delays in parties fail to form a government On Wednesday, lawyers questioned Nearly 6,000 people have lost their doses of Vero Cell but after some offi- terparts in different countries as well supplying the vaccine [Covishield] in under various other provisions,” said President Bhandari’s intent and her lives to the virus over the past nine cials disclosed the estimated price per as the British queen, asking them to light of India facing a crisis of its own Dahal. role. On Thursday, most of the ten weeks, ever since the second wave dose, the Chinese expressed their dis- facilitate the process to ship vaccines and asked Nepal to choose a jab other Since Article 76 (5) provides an indi- senior advocates pleading on behalf made its way to the country. Infections pleasure. to Nepal. None has responded, leave than AstraZeneca. vidual lawmaker with an opportunity of the plaintiffs said that Oli was not rose exponentially. The realisation Officials refused to divulge any fur- alone sending vaccines. When American President Joe to try to garner majority–from indi- eligible to lay claim to the government then deepened greatly among the ther details on the development Nepal so far has been able to inocu- Biden on May 17 announced that his vidual lawmakers regardless of which on May 21 after making public a day authorities that the only way to fight regarding the deal with China for late just about 8.3 percent of the popu- administration would share around 60 party they belong to–there are some before that the situation had not the virus is a vaccine. buying vaccines. lation. Only 2.4 percent of the popula- million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine arguments that it would risk the reviv- changed a bit since May 10 to secure a Though the number of new daily “We have been told that the govern- tion has received both doses. with the world, it too had raised some al of a party-less system, like the one vote of confidence in the House. infections has declined over the past ment is close to reaching a vaccine “For the last eight months, the gov- hopes in Nepal. practiced during the Panchayat On May 10, Oli lost a vote of confi- few weeks, experts are warning of a deal with China, but we do not know ernment has been distributing assur- On June 3, the White House regime. And Prime Minister KP dence in the House, with just 93 law- third wave. Amid this, the Health how close,” said an official at the ances,” said GD Thakur, a former announced that it would be sharing 7 Sharma Oli and his supporters are makers standing in his favour, as 28 Ministry said on Monday that the Department of Health Services, the director of the Epidemiology and million doses with 17 countries, peddling these arguments. lawmakers from his own party highly infectious K417N, a sub-lineage government agency that carries out Disease Control Division. including Nepal. There was no clarity This argument stems from the fact abstained. He was, however, appointed of B.1.617.2, known as Delta variant, procurement of medical goods. “Preparations for the third wave also on the number of doses and when they that as many as 26 lawmakers of Oli’s prime minister again on May 13 under has been confirmed in swab samples “The Health Ministry has not yet include inoculating as many people at would arrive. Anyway, for a country CPN-UML party had thrown their Article 76 (3) after the Nepali Congress of some infected people in Nepal. The informed us about the deal. Nor have the earliest.” like Nepal, which needs 44 million weight behind Nepali Congress did not lay claim to the government. new sub lineage has also been dubbed we been informed when the vaccines Experts say the government needs doses, 7 million doses divided among President Sher Bahadur Deuba when Constitutionally, Oli needed to “Delta Plus” in India. Of the 48 swab will arrive,” the official, who spoke on to take a two-pronged approach–get 17 countries would mean too little. he approached President Bhandari to secure a vote of confidence by June 12 samples of infected people, on which condition of anonymity, told the Post. enough doses of AstraZeneca vaccine The United States recently stake claim to government formation under Article 76 (4), but instead he whole genome sequencing was per- Just when the coronavirus crisis to give booster doses to 1.4 million announced sharing an additional 55 as per Article 76 (5). prodded the President to invoke formed earlier this month, the Delta deepened in Nepal, so did the political people and procure any other vaccine million doses, but it has said most of On May 21, Deuba had submitted Article 76 (5). variant was detected in 47 people. crisis. Prime Minister Oli has thrown from any country or manufacturer. the doses would be distributed signatures of 149 lawmakers, includ- But Oli and Bhandari worked hand Among the 47, the new sub-lineage the country into uncertainty yet again Some reports have surfaced over through COVAX. ing 26 from the UML’s Madhav Nepal in glove to dissolve the House without K417N also known as AY.1 has been by dissolving the House of the last few days that India is planning The vaccine scarcity around the faction, to the President. But the same letting Article 76 (5) come into play. identified in swab samples of nine Representatives for a second time. to resume vaccine supplies to the world, with the poor countries strug- day, Oli too staked claim to the post of “Oli was not eligible to make a people. Over the last six months, Oli has neighbourhood as part of its “vaccine gling the most, now has also raised a prime minister saying he had the sup- claim to lead the government, but Nepal’s coronavirus crisis at one shuffled ministers at the Health friendship”. new debate whether it is a “global port of 153 lawmakers–121 from his besides that, he did not have any point in recent months had become so Ministry, the line ministry to deal ThePrint reported on Wednesday public good” or a simply yet another UML party, including those from the authority to dissolve the House,” said grave that people were dying from a with the virus and do the groundwork that New Delhi is aiming at July-end pharmaceutical commodity. The Nepal faction, and 32 from the Janata Gandhi. “The Supreme Court in its lack of oxygen and beds. Hospitals for buying vaccines, three times. or August to at least release those vac- World Health Organisation has been Samajbadi Party. Oli, however, did not earlier verdict in February has were turning away patients because Dr Onta believes frequent changes cines that have been bought by constantly insisting that the vaccine provide the lawmakers’ signatures. already made it clear that only a prime they did not have beds, ventilators and in ministries and political turmoil in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal. But is a global public good and the rich It, however, had become clear on minister elected under Article 76 (5) oxygen supplies. the country too have impacted Nepal’s the paper caevated that with “depend- nations owe the doses to the poor. May 10 itself that the Janata can dissolve the House, should he Prime Minister Oli then made an vaccine procurement plan. ing on the scale of production of vac- Ever since the vaccines started to Samajbadi Party was divided, with fail to secure a vote of confidence appeal to the world community to “Several people from donor agen- cines within the country”. appear in the market, rich nations one faction led by Mahantha Thakur within 30 days from the date of the extend support. On May 10, through cies in Nepal I have spoken with have But July-end or August is too late have been facing criticism for stock- and Rajendra Mahato supporting Oli appointment.” an opinion piece in the UK’s Guardian communicated their frustration as to for those who have taken the first piling doses multiple times more than and the other led by Upendra Yadav Ten senior advocates, including newspaper, Oli said Nepal is over- how difficult it becomes to work in Covishield shots in mid-March. The they actually need. and Baburam Bhattarai opposing. Khagendra Adhikari, Borna Bahadur whelmed by Covid-19 and called for Nepal due to frequent changes,” Onta 1.4 million people with their first Experts say while there was noth- After President Bhandari disquali- Karki, Hari Upreti, Mithilesh Kumar supplying medical goods as well as told the Post. Covishield shots must have taken ing wrong in waiting for the jabs to fied both the claims by Deuba and Oli, Singh, Shrihari Aryal, Prem Bahadur vaccines. The world community According to Onta, political uncer- their booster doses by May 29. arrive under grant or through the the Cabinet recommended House dis- Khadka and Sher Bahadur KC besides turned its attention to Nepal and tainty and instability in government “Resumption of vaccine export by global vaccine-sharing facility, the solution. President Bhandari obliged Pandit, Shrestha and Dahal, pleaded countries since have been airlifting mechanisms could be the main reason India in July-August does not help us government should have continuously late on May 21, well past midnight, on behalf of the petitioners on medical goods, oxygen concentrators behind Nepal’s failure to reach any address our ongoing crisis,” said made efforts to get as many doses at endorsing the House dissolution. Thursday. and other equipment. But none of the deal on vaccine purchase. Pokhrel, the chief specialist of the the earliest possible. As many as 30 petitions, including Arguments from the petitioners are countries–the United States, the Pokhrel, the director at the Family Health Ministry. According to doctors, the vaccine is one by the opposition alliance led by expected to be completed by Friday. United Kingdom, China, Germany, the Welfare Division under the Health “We are trying to get AstraZeneca as good as a commodity and it’s about Deuba, were filed at the Supreme Lawyers on behalf of the defendants European Union and many others– Ministry, does not deny. vaccine to provide booster shots to standing in line with money in hands, Court against the House dissolution. will start presenting their views from have provided the vaccine, the com- “Frequent changes in bureaucracy those who took the first dose. We have rather than holding out a begging The opposition alliance has Sunday. Four lawyers from Nepal Bar modity that Nepal needs the most. do have an impact on long-term policy appealed to and approached many bowl all the time. demanded that the court restore the Association and Supreme Court Bar Amid talks that some European decisions and implementation,” he countries, but to no avail.” “No one will raise questions even if House and issue an order to appoint Association have been invited as ami- Union member countries could pro- admitted. He, however, was quick to There have also been talks in recent the government takes a loan to buy Deuba prime minister because he had cus curiae to present their briefs to vide vaccines, on June 18 at least two add that the government is committed days in the ministry also about COVAX vaccines, if in case it is short of provided the signatures of 149 law- the court. ambassadors ruled out any such possi- to inoculating all the eligible people providing 600,000 doses of Johnson & money,” said Onta. makers, well over the magic number Unlike in the past instance of House bility, saying whatever doses Nepal free of cost and it has been pulling out Johnson vaccine. The Post, however, “If the government has not been of 136 required to prove a majority. dissolution of December 20, when the would get under their commitment all the stops to procure jabs. could not verify the information. able to buy vaccines, then it is not Gandhi Pandit, also a senior advo- court took two months to pass a ver- would arrive through COVAX. While Prime Minister Oli, also the “I don’t want to talk about this because of a shortage of money, but cate, on Thursday argued that if dict, this time, there are expectations A scrambling government, which chairman of the CPN-UML, over the [Johnson & Johnson] issue,” Dr because of a lack of interest, failure to Article 76 (5) is allowed to be used just that a verdict could come soon, as was initially over-reliant on India, past few months remained busy in his Jhalak Gautam, the chief of the make it a priority and a bungling of by parties, it would be as good as judges have set timeframes for law- turned to China. But Sinopharm’s political maneuverings, his govern- National Immunisation Programme diplomacy.” Article 76 (2). yers from both sides. Floods continue to wreak havoc in Manang AASH GURUNG LAMJUNG, JUNE 24

The residents of Manang, a mountain district in Gandaki Province, have had no respite from intermittent floods in the Marshyangdi River since the start of monsoon this year. Chame, the district headquarters of Manang, saw mas- sive floods in the river on Wednesday, leaving a Bailey bridge that links upper Manang to other parts of the district at high risk of being swept away. According to Narayan Kusum, chief at the Veterinary Hospital and Livestock Service Expert Centre in Manang, a school building, some houses and a suspension bridge are also at high risk of inundation. Floods and landslides triggered by heavy monsoon rain- POST COURTESY: NARAYAN KUSUM fall first wreaked havoc in several settlements of Manang Marshyangdi river has swollen significantly following a heavy rainfall. on June 14, destroying scores of houses and displacing hun- dreds of people. at her relative’s house in Talekhu, told the Post over the The local people, who expected the floods to gradually phone. recede, are now restless due to the continuous floods in var- The water level in the river further increased on ious rivers and rivulets. Wednesday. It had not receded as of Thursday as well as the “The swollen Marsyhangdi river has not receded, leaving area has been witnessing rainfall. the area at further risk of inundation,” said Lokendra Chief District Officer of Manang Bishnu Lamichhane Ghale, the chairman of Chame Rural Municipality. said the river has been gaining strength since Tuesday Melina Gurung, who survived the floods on June 15, night following heavy rainfall. is anxious to return home to her partially damaged house According to the District Administration Office in in Chame. “The floods inundated my house. I escaped Manang, the floods and landslides since June 14 have on time. The river is still raging and might sweep away destroyed 56 houses and left more than 200 others at risk of my house altogether,” Gurung, who has been taking shelter inundation and being swept away.

C M Y K 03 | FRIDAY, JUNE 25, 2021 NATIONAL President appoints 20 to constitutional bodies while case is sub judice in court With the House dissolved, their hearings could not be conducted. Lawyers argue that provision of appointment after 45 days is applicable only when hearing is possible.

BINOD GHIMIRE part of the chief justice more than KATHMANDU, JUNE 24 anybody else in these unconstitution- al appointments.” Even while the recommendation for The Constitution of Nepal has a their appointments remains sub mandatory provision of parliamenta- judice in the Supreme Court, President ry hearing for those recommended to Bidya Devi Bhandari on Thursday constitutional commissions before appointed 20 chairs and members their appointment. in 11 different constitutional Article 292 of the constitution pro- commissions without the parliamen- visions parliamentary hearings for tary hearing mandated by the the justices recommended by the constitution. Judicial Council and those recom- The Constitutional Council had mended for appointment in constitu- controversially recommended their tional bodies by the Constitutional appointments in 11 different crucial Council. constitutional bodies including the A 15-member joint committee repre- Public Service Commission, the senting both Houses of the federal Commission for the Investigation of parliament is formed to conduct the Abuse of Authority and the Election hearings as per the Article 292 (2) of POST PHOTO: ANISH REGMI Commission on May 9. the constitution. Kaji Lama sculpts a stone idol at his outdoors workshop in Balkumari, Lalitpur on Wednesday. Lama has been engaged in this profession for the past 20 years. Prior to the appointments, the KP However, as President Bhandari dis- Sharma Oli government on May solved the House of Representatives 4 had issued an ordinance to amend on May 21 on the recommendation of the Constitutional Council Act the Oli government, parliamentary (Functions, Duties and Procedures) hearings could not be held. Police arrest suspect 2010 allowing a majority of the Earlier on December 20 too, days Annual budget, policies presented amid existing five-member council to hold after the Constitutional Council had its meeting. recommended 38 names for chairs and behind Santoshi “The amendment to the members in various constitutional Constitutional Council Act is against bodies on December 15, Oli had dis- protests in several local units of Province 2 the spirit of the constitution. I had solved the House of Representatives. Subba’s murder sought the Supreme Court’s interven- Among those recommended then were tion to invalidate it and scrap the chairs and members for the AJIT TIWARI IN JANAKPUR & SHIVA PURI IN RAUTAHAT SHUVAM DHUNGANA appointments,” advocate Om Prakash Commission for the Investigation of JUNE 24 KATHMANDU, JUNE 24 Aryal, who moved the Supreme Court Abuse of Authority, members for the Kathmandu Metropolitan City on June 14 challenging the ordinance, Election Commission and all five Tensions ran high in the municipal Police on Thursday made public a sus- told the Post. office bearers for the National Human and village council meetings of unveils Rs18.9 billion budget pect behind the murder of Santoshi In his petition, Aryal had argued Rights Commission. several local units of Province 2 while Subba, a popular YouTube figure that the recommendations made on presenting the budget and policy and ANUP OJHA woefully slow in Covid-19 prepared- whose disfigured body was discovered the basis of the ordinance are against programme on Thursday. KATHMANDU, JUNE 24 ness compared to its neighbouring on Tuesday at Dakshinkali in constitutionalism and the balance of Recommendations A clash ensued in Maulapur cities Lalitpur and Bhaktapur. Kathmandu. constitutional power. Municipality of Rautahat district as The Kathmandu Metropolitan City on This year, too, the City has priori- The suspect, a 29-year-old man, was But the court is yet to hold hearings were made by the the political parties staged demonstra- Thursday unveiled a budget of Rs18.9 tised Covid-19 containment in its arrested from Kamalakshi, on the writ petitions challenging the tions. Security personnel lobbed billion for the next fiscal year 2021-22. annual budget. Kathmandu, where he had been hid- ordinance, which contradicts the council with chief two dozen teargas canisters to contain Deputy Mayor Hari Prabiha Khadgi “Our main concern is to fight ing after the crime, police said. Constitution of Nepal. the situation. presented the budget at the ninth against the Covid-19 pandemic and He confessed to the crime soon after “The Supreme Court wasn’t inter- justice as its member. Some security personnel and pro- municipal assembly with the motto make the City virus free first,” said he was arrested, police said. ested in hearing the writ petitions testers were injured as rival political ‘Cultural City, Kathmandu Deputy Mayor Khadgi. Senior Superintendent of Police against the ordinance and the recom- parties hurled stones at one another, Metropolitan City.’ Khadgi said that this time the City Chandra Kuber Khapung, chief of the mendations,” Aryal said. Aryal had challenged the decision said police. This year, the City’s budget has had more sensible plans, mainly con- Metropolitan Crime Division, said the The ordinance had earlier been at the Supreme Court the very The clash erupted between the sup- been grouped under five categories, cerning the pandemic, and no suspect, who hails from issued in December. Any ordinance next day but there was no hearing porters of Mayor Rina Devi Sah and with the highest share of Rs10.5 bil- lofty promises for building monorails Sindhupalchok, was arrested within has to be presented in the House in the on his writ petition even though some ward chiefs who are backed by lion going towards infrastructure and flyovers unlike in the past. 24 hours after police initiated their very first meeting of a new session it had been scheduled for hearing Nepali Congress, CPN (Maoist development. “The priority of the City should be investigation. and must be passed within 60 days. 17 times. Centre), Upendra Yadav faction of The City has allocated Rs3.7 billion towards vaccinating the City resi- Police investigation suggests that But the ordinance in question couldn’t Consequently, on February 3, the Janata Samajbadi Party and Nepal for administrative sector and office dents,” said the deputy mayor. Subba was murdered on Sunday. be tabled in the first meeting of the President appointed 32 of them to the group of CPN (UML). operation, and Rs2.7 billion for social In its Covid-19 relief plan, the City Her body was discovered by some reinstated House of Representatives constitutional bodies. The disgruntled group of ward development. has announced a tax waiver of up to 80 local people on Tuesday. on March 7. As per Rule 26 (2) of the Joint chiefs staged demonstrations soon Rs 1.1 billion has been set aside for percent for businesses, hotels and “The victim was found half naked The Oli government had reissued Parliamentary Meeting Regulations, after the municipal council started good governance. tourism enterprises that have been in a forested area. Her face was the ordinance on May 4. there would be no obstruction for the where former minister Prabhu Sah Last year, the City had allocated a impacted by the pandemic. crushed beyond recognition and there Before the amendment, the recommended individuals to assume was the chief guest. budget of Rs 16.42 billion. The City has also announced a 10 were multiple bruises on her body,” Constitutional Council Act (Functions, their positions in constitutional bod- “We were forced to protest as the Although Rs 100 million was allocat- percent subsidy on tenant’s tax from Khapung said. “Her attacker had hit Duties and Procedures) required that ies if the hearing committee fails to mayor unilaterally decided to hold a ed to fight the Covid-19 pandemic, the landlords. her several times with a rock to disfig- five of the six members of the council take any decision within 45 days of municipal council when it’s the execu- City couldn’t even construct a single In its annual budget, the City has ure her. A post-mortem report showed must be present at its meetings. receiving the list of nominees from tive body of the municipality who isolation or quarantine centre when also announced plans to construct some of her ribs were also broken.” The council is composed of the the Constitutional Council. should schedule the council meeting,” thousands of people were infected public toilets in each ward—a plan Subba was popular on YouTube for Prime Minister, the Chief Justice, Experts, however, argue that this said Ram Prabesh Yadav, the protest- with the coronavirus. that has figured in past budget her ability to produce the sounds of the Speaker, the chair of the National provision of the regulations comes ing ward chairman of Maulapur-1. Kathmandu Metropolitan City was announcements as well. different birds and animals. Assembly, the Deputy Speaker into effect only after the hearing pro- The agitating people’s representatives Investigators said Subba had met and the leader of the opposition in cess begins. and the party activists said the mayor the suspect at a hotel near the incident the House of Representatives. “The provision in the regulations and her supporters misused their Mayor of the municipality Ansu Security personnel were deployed to site. However, the lower house had been isn’t for those whose parliamentary power. However, Mayor Sah claimed Singh boycotted the meeting. prevent the protesters from entering “Subba was staying at the same without a Deputy Speaker since hearing hasn’t begun,” Raju Prasad that the municipal council was sched- The council meetings of Kalaiya the assembly hall. hotel. Prohibitory orders were in January last year after Shiva Maya Chapagain, chair of the Constitutional uled after fulfilling the due process. and Jitpur Simara Sub Metropolis and In Mithila Municipality of place and she had run out of money in Tumbahangphe resigned. Lawyers’ Forum, told the Post. “The anti-development forces are pro- Debahi Gonahi, Garuda, Brindaban Dhanusha, Dhalkebar residents chant- order to be able to stay at the hotel. Speaker Agni Sapkota and the Another writ petition filed at the testing the council,” she said. and Baudhimai municipalities are yet ed slogans against Mayor Harinayaran The suspect, who offered to help her leader of the opposition, Nepali Supreme Court by senior advocate The meeting continued despite pro- to begin owing to disputes. Mahato at the municipal assembly, after learning about her predicament, Congress President Sher Bahadur Dinesh Tripathi on February 4 tests outside the meeting hall amid In Janakpurdham Sub Metropolitan accusing him of trying to shift the lured her into staying with him and Deuba, have not attended the council’s demands barring the newly-appointed heavy police presence. City, most of the municipal members location of the Trauma Centre in murdered her,” an investigating meetings since the amendment to officials from working. There has According to the Local Government chanted slogans in the assembly on Dhalkebar to Lalgadh for his benefit. officer said. the Act. been no hearing on this petition either, Operation Act 2017, local units should Thursday demanding budget trans- In Mahottari, supporters of various The officer said the suspect admit- The council’s meeting chaired by although the court issued a show hold council meetings each year by parency. They also demanded that political parties padlocked the office of ted to strangling Subba with her own Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli cause notice to the Constitutional the 10th of Nepali month of Asadh. plans and projects for the wards be Matihani Municipality, demanding that shawl after she resisted when he and attended by Chief Justice Council, its chair the prime minister, Local bodies, including Maulapur, made public. Janakpurdham Sub the expenditures of the current fiscal forced himself upon her. Cholendra Shumsher Rana and and its member. Katahariya, Gujara, Ishanath, Metropolis unveiled a budget year be made public. The municipal “He used a rock to deface Subba so National Assembly chair Ganesh “It is evident that the court is Phatuwa Bijayapur and Yamunamai, of around Rs1.47 billion for the next assembly continued despite the protests. that she wouldn’t be identified,” the Prasad Timilsina made the complicit in the council’s recommen- in Rautahat commenced their council fiscal year amid protests. According to the Provincial Police investigating officer said. recommendations. dation and the subsequent appoint- meetings amid protests this year. In Sabaila Municipality of Office in Janakpur, security personnel Subba used to live with her foster “The recommendation was made ments,” said Aryal. “You can do noth- The office of Rajdevi Municipality Dhanusha, a group of local youths were deployed in all 135 local units of father Dhan Bahadur Tamang in with Rana’s consent,” said Aryal. ing when the state agency that is sup- said it completed its municipal coun- demanded the authorities make pub- the province on Thursday, keeping in Kathmandu. Her murder has left “When the chief of the judiciary seeks posed to protect the constitution and cil meeting on June 21 despite dis- lic the expenditures of the current view possible clashes and demonstra- many shaken and once again raised his share in appointments, this is the rule of law becomes complicit in putes among its members. Deputy fiscal year in the municipal council. tions during municipal assemblies. concerns over women’s safety. bound to happen. I see foul play on the unconstitutional acts.” Still shuttered, Thamel tattoo parlours feel left out by government

SHUVAM DHUNGANA ber shops, and gyms to reopen due to 50 percent of the rent,” said Sagar. ing health safety protocols. KATHMANDU, JUNE 24 infection risks. According to Sagar, in Thamel “I feel like it’s a slap in our face. As “We will reopen such businesses shops and businesses are required to other businesses were given permis- With Covid-19 cases declining in the only after getting recommendation pay the rent of six months to a year in sion to reopen they have continued the Kathmandu Valley, the administra- from the CCMC [Covid-19 Crisis advance. “Many of us had already ban on tattoo parlours,”Sagar told the tions of the three districts of the Management Centre], otherwise there paid full rent for either six months or Post. The daily Covid-19 cases have Valley have eased the lockdown is no plan,” Adhikari told the Post. a year so the closure due to the prohib- been coming down after peaking on allowing most businesses to reopen The continued ban on their busi- itory orders have caused us huge loss- May 11 when the country confirmed a and more vehicles to ply the ness has left tattoo artists worried as es,” Sagar told the Post over the phone. record 9,317 new infections. On April streets. However, for the tattoo and they are struggling even to pay Sumina Shrestha, 26, another tattoo 29, when the prohibitory orders were piercing industry, the closure has no the rent for their shops, the majority artist, who is in the business for over imposed in the Valley, 4,831 cases had end in sight. of which are located at famous tourist five and a half years, had a similar been reported countrywide. According to the notice published areas like Thamel, where rents are experience. The Kathmandu Valley recorded by the District Administration Office, expensive. “Before the pandemic struck, our 335 new infections in the past 24 hours. Kathmandu, jewellery shops, electron- Sagar, who has been running a tat- studio used to see clients from around Of these, 234 cases were confirmed in ics stores and automobile shops are too and piercing shop for the past sev- the world. However, nowadays there Kathmandu, 68 in Lalitpur and 33 in allowed to open on Sundays, Tuesdays eral years at Thamel, said the pandem- are no tourists but still we receive Bhaktapur. and Thursdays. Similarly, shopping ic has badly impacted his business. queries about tattoo prices and Both Sumina and Sagar think tattoo malls, clothing stores, gift shops, “Before the lockdown imposed on designs from many Nepalis. They parlours should be allowed to reopen sports apparel stores and cosmetics March 24 last year, every day at least want to know our reopening date. But as they work in a sanitised environ- shops are allowed to operate on four tourists and a few Nepalis used to we don’t know how long we will have ment by following all health safety Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays. visit our shop to get tattoos or for to suffer like this,” said Shrestha. protocols. “Working in a tattoo par- Uma Kanta Adhikari, the assistant piercings,” said Sagar who wished to According to Sumina, as the lour is like working in a clinic as it is chief district officer of Kathmandu be identified by only his first name. government has allowed other busi- very clean and sanitised. And we work said along with tattoo parlours they “During the first lockdown despite nesses to run, tattoo parlours too on an individual appointment basis so POST FILE PHOTO have not allowed beauty parlours, bar- our shops being closed, we had to pay should be allowed to reopen by follow- there is no crowding.” Authorities say tattoo parlours and other businesses will open at CCMC’s recommendation.

C M Y K FRIDAY, JUNE 25, 2021 | 04 OPINION EDITORIAL Nepal is in disarray. Its foreign Watch what you drink policy doesn’t need to be The need to provide clean water to every household cannot be overstated. Foreign policy cannot serve individual interests. The monsoon madness is not going to get over anytime soon, and our woes have only just begun. Apart from the del- In Nepal, unfortunately, uge and destruction caused by floods and landslides, sweep- this is the norm. ing away properties and people, there is every possibility of our water sources becoming contaminated this season. Since a significant portion of the water supply in the AMISH RAJ MULMI country is connected to water springs, without any filtration system, people are compelled to drink tainted water as mon- soon rains flood surface and ground water sources. As the government looks the other way, we shouldn’t be surprised if there is a sharp spike in illnesses and deaths caused by polluted drinking water in the coming weeks. One of the questions that ails ordinary Meanwhile, the government, as lethargic as ever, fails Nepalis and former prime ministers to even distribute water purifying tablets, let alone more per- alike is whether Nepal’s domestic manent solutions. affairs are influenced by foreign nations—primarily, our neighbours. Microbiological studies show that contaminated water is This in turn begets the question, is the root cause of various ailments, including diarrhoea, chol- Nepal’s foreign policy independent of era, dysentery, typhoid and polio, leading to the deaths of an its political leaders’ tendency to squab- estimated hundreds of thousands of people worldwide each ble with each other? And finally, can there be a time when Nepali foreign year. According to the World Health Organisation, 785 mil- policy is not inferred to be a failure? lion people globally lack basic drinking water service, includ- These are questions every nation- ing 144 million who are dependent on surface water. People state has faced in their time, and Nepal living in the global south use untreated water from unpro- is no different. What is unique, howev- er, is the propensity of our leaders to tected wells and springs for drinking and household purpos- negotiate the foreign policy terrain es, leaving them to suffer from various minor gastrointesti- with U-turns and volte-faces. One has nal discomforts to long-term health complications. The need to look no further than Prime Minister KP Oli’s much-touted friendship with to provide uncontaminated water to every household in the China post the 2015 Indian blockade. In country, therefore, cannot be overstated. the first two years of Oli’s rule, the However, notwithstanding our pride in being a water-rich relationship with China had grown SHUTTERSTOCK country, Nepal has almost always failed to provide uncontam- comfortable enough to warrant a state visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping when the diplomatic corps itself is and when they value status more high- in line to be the next ambassador, inated water to its citizens. Unicef estimates that 3.5 million (a success by most measures) and the sidelined from top diplomatic posts, ly.’ In Nepal, however, there seems to be which is not a desired outcome. But people in Nepal do not have access to basic water resources. establishment of fraternal ties between which are handed out to family mem- no such correlation. political appointments are the norm in A large section of the population living in rural areas the NCP and the CCP (imagine if the bers in a manner that befits 18th centu- So what can be done to change such a client-patron states such as Nepal, so depends on open streams for drinking water, which gets con- BJP decided to set up similar ties with ry pajani decisions than a 21st century state of affairs? there will be more such appointees in the RPP or any other ultra-conserva- nation? Among the recently appointed Beyond the utopic scenarios and the the future, and foreign policy is bound taminated especially during the monsoon. Harmful bacteria tive force!). Chinese investments, 11 new ambassadors, nine were hyperbole our leaders regularly dish to suffer unless this is corrected. such as Escherichia coli (E. coli) are considered to be found although few, seemed to be moving politically appointees. Beyond the out, the first is to get a reality check Foreign policymaking must also in 71 percent of all water sources and 91 percent of those ahead, and it seemed Oli had found a appalling decision that ambassadors about Nepal’s place in the world. As a break free from the domestic trappings used by the poorest quintile. That is to be expected friend in Beijing. now do not even have to be graduates, small state hemmed in between two of nationalistic fervour. Nationalism Things have turned around since that half of all ambassadorial posi- much-larger and greater powers, a sub- may be a suitable tool to coax citizens in a country where 16 percent of the population practises then. Oli’s harsh words against India tions do not have to be career diplomats tle balancing act that favours Nepali in a government’s favour, but it doesn’t open defecation. during the Kalapani dispute have been is by itself enough to depress any interests is the obvious requirement. It always work to win international sup- Rural Nepal has almost always remained a hotbed for toned down, and talks over the territo- Nepali who desires a career in the has been done in the past—in the 1960s, port, as seen in the criticism over diarrhoea and other waterborne ailments. What worsens ry dispute don’t seem to be going any- foreign service, which for civil servants for instance, Nepal held on to its inter- China’s ‘wolf warrior’ diplomacy and where. The sum of the five prime min- across the world remains a most ests while negotiating with ideological the changing international perceptions the problem is the dearth of even basic health infrastructure isters’ joint statement about ‘foreign lucrative posting. opponents such as the US and Soviet of India under Narendra Modi. For a in the villages, leaving people falling victim to diarrhoea interference’ seems to be pointed at Finally, for a political leadership that Russia as well as with India and China. nation as dependent on its soft power and cholera outbreaks. Since the Covid-19 pandemic has ren- India’s willingness to do business with takes immense pride in Nepal’s sover- The challenge is therefore to rebuild as Nepal, it is also a prerequisite to Oli despite his fragile position. To a eignty and historical independence, diplomatic capabilities for the 21st cen- merge our political, economic and cul- dered Nepal’s perennially fragile health system ineffective, neutral observer, it seems that Oli had there is a subtle irony in the fact that tury’s multi-polar world once again. tural diplomacy fronts beyond the tools the risk of suffering from, and even dying of, health first aligned himself with China, and much of our foreign policy revolves There are two possibilities here for of nationalism. complications resulting from consumption of contaminated subsequent to the infighting within the around the acquisition of aid, as seen Nepal: investing further in think-tanks However, the biggest challenge for water cannot be ignored. It is to be noted that even communi- NCP, shifted his outlook to the south. in the President’s recent letter-writing like the Institute of Foreign Affairs, Nepal is to accept that foreign policy To top it, Oli appointed a new foreign spree to acquire vaccines. The politics and incentivising global Nepalis who cannot serve individual interests. ties in urban areas face waterborne hazards as supply net- minister with no prior experience of around foreign aid aside, what does it are already working in such spaces to While the political leadership often works are rife with leakage and under-maintenance. The diplomacy in the middle of a pandemic, say about Nepal that even after 70 years direct their focus on Nepal—a reverse drives foreign policy, a continuity in government must, therefore, find various short- and when international support is of of becoming a modern state, no Nepali brain-drain. the way Nepal deals with its neigh- long-term solutions to ensure that health complications utmost priority. It is rare to find a coun- leader to date has articulated a plan to Diplomatic capabilities, however bours and the world will enhance its try switching gears on foreign policy so reduce the country’s dependence on skilled, will not matter if top posts turn international status far more than any resulting across the country from impure water are kept at abruptly, and even rarer when it’s on aid? A recent paper, for example, into handouts by a government in proclamations or maps. Unless the bay. The government must immediately begin repairing the whim of a leader. Such discontinui- argued rejecting aid could mean an power. While political appointments Nepali leadership doesn’t understand faulty water supply networks wherever available, and help ty is schizophrenic and comes from a improvement in international status can play a beneficial role if the said this, Nepal’s outlook of the world will build new and improved networks, especially in rural areas, critical lack of understanding about for a state. ‘Our formal model predicts individual has an extraordinary per- continue to be determined by the lead- the distinction between national and that governments are more likely to sonal rapport with a foreign nation, the ership’s whims and fancies, and in to ensure a systematic mitigation of the problems caused by personal interests. use rejection strategies when they have diplomatic corps will in turn seek to turn, shape how the rest of the world water contamination. But can Nepal expect any better greater ability to respond to a disaster win political favours to ensure they are looks at us.

Vigilance against black fungus

ple sclerosis. They consist of conven- This is an opportunistic tional DMARDs (disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs), and in case infection mainly affecting these are ineffective, biologic DMARDs. These and many other immunocompromised reports point to the occurrence of mucormycosis in the past, independ- people. ent of the present coronavirus pan- demic. Covid-19 may have exacerbated the existing socio-economic hard- BALMUKUNDA REGMI ships, provided an opportunity to the fungus, both through lockdowns and the use of steroids and other immunosuppressants.

Industrial oxygen and masks There has been widespread specula- tion that the administration of indus- At a time when we are trying to con- trial oxygen is responsible for the tain the highly contagious coronavi- mucormycosis in patients following rus, a new threat, an outbreak of Covid-19 therapy through the passage infection known as mucormycosis, of dirty water and soil. Hygiene popularly called black fungus, has is certainly an issue. Unhygienic emerged. It is caused by a group of practices can do harm to the patients transparent moulds called mucormy- in many ways. However, there is no cetes (formerly known as zygomycet- evidence of the fungus growing in es). The involved tissues turn red, water in the first place. Secondly, the violet and finally black due to tissue fungus is unlikely to grow in hyper- necrosis, forming black eschars, baric oxygen. Studies, including and so the disease has been given the SHUTTERSTOCK one started by the Karnataka state name black fungus (kalo dhusi). may spread to and damage the eyes, the US (21 and 18 percent respective- infections. Writing in Czecho-Slovak Bangalore could be a reflection of government, are underway to see the Mucormycosis is a ubiquitous fungus upper jaw and the brain. Pulmonary ly). In terms of health complications Pathology (2020), Dr Aparna K Sanath poor diabetic control, poor socio-eco- link. So we should wait until the evi- present throughout the environment, infection is common in people with and opportunistic infections, it is the and co-authors at Teerthanker nomic factors and low level of patient dence is produced. especially in soil, animal dung, and cancer and in people who have had an number of undiagnosed and uncon- Mahaveer University, Moradabad, education and awareness. Dr Monasar Obviously, dirty masks can be a fac- decaying fruits and vegetables. The organ transplant or a stem cell trolled diabetics that matters, and this Uttar Pradesh reported a case of S Al-Muflahi of the Medical College of tor. Writing in The Pediatric Infectious American Centre for Disease Control transplant. Gastrointestinal infec- is where India and the US are differ- mucormycosis occurring in a 42-year- Hadramout University, Yemen has Disease Journal (2014), Dr Jonathan and Prevention says most people come tions are seen mainly in infants who ent. In terms of immune status, 3.6 old immunocompetent male patient. written in the Suez Canal University Duffy and co-authors showed that in contact with microscopic fungal have had antibiotics, surgery or percent of the US population is immu- They attributed the infection to poor Medical Journal (2014) that there is a mucormycosis outbreak was associat- spores every day. People contract immune-suppressing medications. nocompromised, while the figure is socio-economic status and local trau- positive correlation between fungal ed with hospital linens, and recom- lungs or sinus forms of infection Those whose immune system is not 20.8 percent for Indians. This means, ma caused by an unhygienic setup or infection and low socio-economic sta- mended that these should be laun- through inhalation of the fungal compromised may show cutaneous compared to Americans, Indians have poor health care. tus which accounts for 56.25 percent dered, packaged, shipped and stored spores present in the environment, infections if the fungus enters through a six-fold greater chance of contract- Dr Jenna Blah Bhattacharya and of fungal sinusitis. in a manner that minimises exposure and skin infection through scrapes, a break in the skin. ing mucormycosis. Obviously, this is colleagues, while reporting a case We will not discuss the association to environmental contaminants. For burns or other types of skin injury. the major reason for the surge of involving an 11-month-old male infant of immunosuppressants in subse- the time being, adhering to estab- The infection is a life-threatening In India and the United States mucormycosis in India and not in with oesophageal mucormycosis in quent fungal infections, as it has been lished health and hygiene practices, disease; with recent Indian experienc- Epidemiologists are trying to explain America. New Delhi in 2015, mentioned in the already recognised in medical science including using masks at dusty es putting the fatality rate at 45.7 the reasons behind the surge of Now, come to the socio-economic Biomedical Journal (2016) that proper and is widely accepted. Let us look at construction sites, wearing full percent. mucormycosis in India and not in status. The low economic status of the weaning practices had not been the use of immunosuppressing medi- body-covering dresses, avoiding direct An opportunistic infection mainly Europe or the United States. Both average Indian results in less prompt performed due to poor socio-economic cines in the management of Covid-19. contact with dirt and manures while affecting immunocompromised peo- India and the US have a high number healthcare, consumption of fruits that status. Writing in the Indian Many medicines with immunosup- at work, and avoiding rampant self-in- ple, mucormycosis is of four types. of diabetics (77 million and 34 million are almost over-ripened or rotting, Journal of Ophthalmology (2003), pressive activity have been used in the takes of iron and zinc supplements, The rhinocerebral type, most com- respectively), but the prevalence of increased exposure to soils, organic Nithyanandam and co-authors stated management of Covid-19, including can help. monly seen in patients with uncon- undiagnosed and uncontrolled diabe- dirt and manure, and congested and that an unusually high incidence of some as a continuing therapy against trolled diabetes or kidney transplants, tes is higher in India (42 and 77 per- sometimes mould-growing damp rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis pre-existing health problems such as Regmi is a professor of pharmacy at is the infection of the sinuses which cent respectively) compared to that in housing. All these contribute to fungal at St John’s Medical College Hospital, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and multi- Tribhuvan University.

C M Y K 05 | FRIDAY, JUNE 25, 2021 MONEY

FOREX Backing grows for US Dollar 118.96 Nepal’s annual soybean oil exports Euro 142.09 new IMF Covid-19 Pound Sterling 166.12 and climate fund Japanese Yen 10.73 to India near Rs50 billion Chinese Yuan 18.39 REUTERS LONDON/WASHINGTON, JUNE 24 Qatari Riyal 32.67 Despite the impressive export statistics, the soybean oil trade contributes very little to the economy, economists say. Australian Dollar 90.12 Plans for a new IMF “Resilience and KRISHANA PRASAIN origin of the product through the Sustainability” fund that would Malaysian Ringit 28.60 KATHMANDU, JUNE 24 Foreign Ministry. expand its support to dozens more “They have asked whether the cer- vulnerable countries gained key inter- Saudi Arab Riyal 31.72 Nepal’s soybean oil exports to India tificate of origin is authentic or not. national backing on Thursday ahead Exchange rates fixed by Nepal Rastra Bank hit a staggering Rs42.34 billion in the As the process was correct, we of crucial meetings. first 11 months of the fiscal year, a answered that it was so,” he said. IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva this four-fold jump from Rs10.12 billion in Narayan Regmi, spokesperson for month proposed the new trust to allow Shares the same period in the previous year, the Industry Ministry, said that rich countries to channel some of making it the country’s number one exports had increased along with their new IMF reserves to poor and Nepse 2,843.00pts -0.59% export commodity. demand in the Indian market, and that middle-income counterparts ravaged Experts say shipments could reach it was legal trade. by Covid or climate change. HIGHEST LOSERS Rs50 billion by the end of the fiscal With massive imports of soybean “This is something we certainly NGPL NICL BARUN NRN KRBL EBLCP -5.68% -5.08% -4.69% -4.44% -3.93% -3.75% year in mid-July, due to the rent seek- oil from Nepal hurting refiners in support” said Lars Jensen, a senior ing mentality of Nepali traders and eastern and northern India and Indian economist on the United Nations MODERATE LOSERS CHDC MPFL GHL NICD83/84 SIFC GRDBL the eagerness of the government to farmers and also incurring loss of Development Programme (UNDP) and -3.61% -3.47% -3.47% -3.27% -3.23% -3.14% amass revenue, which has allowed revenue to the government, the the author of a new report on how the

MODERATE GAINERS exporters to exploit loopholes in the Solvent Extractors’ Association of IMF’s new funding should be directed. KPCL RHPL SBLD2082 GLBSL LUK OHL zero tariff privilege given to Nepal as India, one of the oldest organisations The UNDP estimates the IMF’s 1.37% 1.75% 1.76% 1.9% 1.93% 2% a least developed country. of vegetable oil and trade, has been Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust HIGHEST GAINERS Despite the impressive export sta- asking the Indian government to fix (PRGT), which is also expected to play RHPC NHDL ADBL RURU SFCL UPPER tistics, the soybean oil trade contrib- quotas on imports, saying that soy- a key role in a voluntary redistribu- 2.19% 2.33% 2.34% 2.56% 3.65% 9.88% utes very little to the economy and bean oil has become Nepal’s top export tion of new ‘Special Drawing Rights’ provides few jobs to the Nepali people, commodity even though the country (SDRs) money, is only open to 55 of the say economists. does not produce it commercially. world’s 82 most debt-vulnerable devel- Nepal produces very little soybean “India can anytime restrict import oping economies. PRICE PER TOLA oil of its own, in fact, just 31,567 tonnes of refined soybean oil or can investi- The Group of Seven (G7) wealthy BULLION of raw soybean annually, which is not gate how Nepal is making value addi- nations alone will receive $283 billion enough to meet the requirement of tion,” Pandey said. of the overall $650 billion SDR alloca- Fine Gold Rs 90,500 even a fraction of its own population. “So, this type of product should not tion. All “high-income” countries will But it exports 246,376 tonnes of pro- be promoted. It neither generates get $438 billion, whereas 75 of the Silver Rs 1,295 cessed soybean oil in the same period. employment nor revenue to the gov- poorest countries will get $62 billion How does it do that? SHUTTERSTOCK ernment,” he told the Post. among them. SOURCE: FENEGOSIDA Nepal imported crude soybean oil Trade experts say importing crude oil with zero tariff privilege and exporting it to India with Till around 1996, the rules of origin The Covid crisis is expected to leave valued at Rs45.60 billion and re-ex- zero traffic privilege gives Nepali traders a net profit of 45 percent, excluding other profits. had not been defined in the trade with 47 of the 82 vulnerable countries with ported processed oil worth Rs42.34 India, and the southern neighbour gross debt already above levels deemed GASOLINE WATCH billion to India during the first 11 cardamom worth Rs5 billion annually The import allowed the government was providing duty free access to sustainable. Additionally, nine of the months of the current fiscal year and tea as well. The increase in the to collect revenue worth Rs4.26 billion Nepali products in a bid to promote 10 most climate-change vulnerable (mid-July 2020 to mid-June 2021), export of these farm products benefits from the soybean oil trade in the first industrialisation in Nepal. countries are also highly debt-vulner- according to the Department of the farmers of three to four districts, 11 months of the current fiscal year. But the condition was later changed able developing economies. Customs. raising the economic status of thou- The Indian government has been after Nepali traders began misusing “As a possible development objec- Tariff exemptions on Nepali sands of farmers. What’s the contribu- raising the issue of the ballooning the provision in vegetable ghee and tive of an SDR channelling to vulnera- exports to India under the South tion of soybean to the national econo- soybean trade after it restricted copper wire trade. ble countries, it would be natural to Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) my and employment,” he asked. imports of palm oil in January 2020. In the 2002 trade treaty, India added target climate due to its global impli- agreement give domestic traders an “How can we call it an industry In March, following a huge increase the value addition criteria, tariff rate cations,” Jensen said, adding that the advantage. Countries outside of South when it imports raw materials, refines in exports of refined soybean oil from quota and tax provision, said trade fund could even bulked up by leverag- Asia are slapped with tariffs of 45 per- and re-exports them. This does not Nepal, the Indian government wrote experts. ing it in borrowing markets. cent on soybean oil. need much labour and factory expens- to Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs “This kind of action will prompt G7 leaders have already signalled Trade experts said that importing es are also small,” he said, adding that to “confirm the genuineness and India to make trade conditions more their backing to redistribute $100 bil- crude oil with zero tariff privilege and these kinds of trade privileges kill authenticity” of the product originat- stringent, which will impact long- lion of the new SDR money. Georgieva exporting it to India with zero traffic farm productivity. ing criteria or the certificate of origin term trade relationship,” said Pandey. has said that China has expressed privilege enables Nepali traders to “It does not encourage farmers. I issued by Nepali authorities for the “In Nepal’s context, $400 million interest in participating and that she enjoy a net profit of 45 percent, exclud- don’t think the export of soybean oil export of edible oil to India under worth of exports of a single product, expected other major emerging econo- ing other profits. worth Rs42 billion has generated even SAFTA. which Nepal doesn’t even produce, is a mies to do the same. Trade economist Posh Raj Pandey 1,000 jobs.” Dinesh Bhattarai, secretary of the huge amount.” The IMF’s executive board will meet said Nepali exporters need to fulfil the Nepal imported 401,418 tonnes of Ministry of Industry, Commerce and In 2000, an investigation into the on Friday on the next steps and criteria of 30 percent value addition to soybean oil, mainly from Argentina, Supplies, said that the ministry had massive amount of exports of vegeta- finance officials from the Group of 20 enjoy the zero tariff privilege, but this Brazil, Egypt, Paraguay and Ukraine, replied to all the issues raised by the ble ghee from Nepal to India revealed major economies will discuss the SDR is not reflected in the soybean trade. while it exported 246,376 tonnes of Indian government, mostly regarding that only five to six families were reallocation issue when they meet in “Nepal has been exporting large refined soybean oil to India. the authenticity of the certificate of involved in the trade, said Pandey. Venice in July. US lobby group views As pandemic restrictions wane, India’s e-commerce plan as worrying, email shows hopes rise for Europe travel REUTERS industry to return to 2019 levels until NEW DELHI, JUNE 24 at least 2023. Schade has flexibility because she A top lobby group that is part of the US Chamber of works for an airline, but a confusing Commerce believes India’s proposed new e-commerce rules patchwork of restrictions has made are a cause for concern and will lead to a stringent operating booking trips trickier for average environment for companies, according to an email reviewed travellers. And European travellers by Reuters. still aren’t welcome in the US. India this week spooked online retailers like Amazon and Within Europe, governments use a Walmart’s Flipkart by outlining plans to limit “flash sales”, traffic light system where countries reining in a private label push and mandating them to have in green are deemed safe and coun- a system to address grievances. tries in red unsafe, but they don’t all The Washington-headquartered US-India Business use the same criteria, befuddling Council (USIBC), of which Amazon and Walmart are mem- AP/RSS those who want to take a trip. bers, described the rules as concerning in an internal email, People are seen on a beach of Kavouri near Athens, Greece. And while the EU agreed that saying some provisions were in line with New Delhi’s stance member countries should gradually on other big digital companies. ASSOCIATED PRESS Europe that rely on them are eager remove restrictions on travellers India’s draft plan “includes several concerning policies, SWANSEA (WALES), JUNE 24 for a return to something resembling from the US and a handful of other including significant limits on platforms’ ability to organise normal. countries, it’s ultimately up to each sales and handle grievances,” USIBC said in an email to its When Sierra Schade booked a trip to In 2019, before the pandemic, tour- individual country to decide how and members. from Atlanta to Greece, she hoped ism and related activities accounted when it wants to open its borders. USIBC has in the past urged India not to tighten a separate more European countries would fol- for 10 percent of the EU’s GDP, mean- Different countries may also have set of rules governing foreign investment in companies like low Greece’s lead and open to US ing the return of international travel different requirements about vacci- Amazon and Flipkart, an issue that has often soured trade travellers. is key to economic recovery, particu- nations and Covid testing. relations between India and United States. She’s now been able to add Italy larly for countries like Greece and Things could get a bit easier, at USIBC did not immediately respond to a request for com- and France to the itinerary for her Italy that rely more heavily on it. least for Europeans, when the EU ment. The new rules—open for consultation until July 6— trip next month after the 27-nation That figure was cut nearly in half in Digital Covid Certificate comes into are expected to have an impact across the board in an online European Union recommended last 2020, according to the World Travel effect next week. The certificates will retail market forecast to be worth $200 billion by 2026. week that restrictions be lifted for and Tourism Council. certify EU citizens’ tests and vaccina- They will also apply to Indian firms like Tata’s BigBasket American tourists. There is guarded optimism about tions, allowing them to travel between and Reliance Industries’ JioMart, but the proposal comes As pandemic restrictions start to tourists returning this year, though countries without having to quaran- after Indian retailers for years complained that market ease, travellers and the businesses in the EU doesn’t expect growth in the tine or undergo coronavirus tests. leaders Amazon and Flipkart used complex business struc- tures to bypass India’s foreign investment law, hurting small businesses. Government of Nepal National Reconstruction Authority C.I.I.C. Nepal Pvt. Ltd. Central Level Project Implementation Unit (Building) Babarmahal, Kathmandu

Urgently Required

LETTER OF INTENT (LOI)

Preference shall be given to Nepalese Citizen for the post of th Vice Manager/ Director of Chinese visa policy: First Date of Publication :- 25 June, 2021 This is to notify to all the concerned bidders that the following bidders are intended to award the following contracts Number of Person : 1 (mentioned below) as per their bid price which are corrected and modified in accordance with Instruction to Bidders Quali cation Required: and hereby selected as substantially responsive lowest evaluated bid. • Bachelor's Degree in Management (or equivalent) Any inquiries/responses concerning this notice of intent to award should be directed to the Project Director, Central • Very fluent in English (writing, listening & speaking) Level Project Implementation Unit, Babarmahal, Kathmandu, Nepal within 7 days from the date of publication of • Very fluent in Chinese (writing, listening& speaking) this notice. Experience: Substantially responsive Bid price IFB No. Description of Work Two years in Management Position lowest evaluated Bidder (Excluding VAT) Nature of Work: Contract Id No.: NRA/CLPIU/2077- Guide, inspect and training staff in terms of Chinese visa 18-2077-78- 78/NCB-18 M/s Tulsi- D.R. J/V NRs. policy and report to Chinese Embassy. NRA/CLPIU Reconstruction of Napi Chandra Bhaktapur-2 . 28,570,104.96 Selection Procedure: (Building) Mahabihara lalitpur, Nepal Only shortlisted candidates shall be called interview. Interview shall be taken by Manager. Any interested Contract Id No.: NRA/CLPIU/2077- 19-2077-78- candidates can send their Resume and cover letter 78/NCB-19 M/s Tulsi- D.R. J/V NRs. NRA/CLPIU [email protected]. Conservation and Deveplopment of Nepal Bhaktapur-2. 47,088,481.70 (Building) Salary: Negotiable Bhasa Parisad in kathmandu Nepal. Deadline of Submission of Application: July 01, 2021 Project Director

C M Y K

FRIDAY, JUNE 25, 2021 | 06 SPORTS | MEDLEY BRIEFING Brazil pull controversial win over Colombia Buttler fires England Nepal, Philippines and to comfortable win Hong Kong in same group The 2-1 victory puts the hosts on top of the group with maximum nine points while Peru and Ecuador settle for 2-2 draw. over Sri Lanka KATHMANDU: Nepal have been drawn AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE and hurts the match. We never got along with the Philippines and Hong RIO DE JANEIRO, JUNE 24 past that play.” AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE Kong in Group ‘F’ for the qualifiers Insult was added to injury 10 min- CARDIFF, JUNE 24 of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India Brazil continued their winning romp utes into stoppage time, when 2022 at a draw held in Asian Football through the Copa America Thursday, Casemiro headed a Neymar corner Jos Buttler saw England to a comfort- Confederation (AFC) headquarters in eking out a controversial 2-1 victory past a distracted Colombia defense to able eight-wicket win in the first Malaysia on Thursday. The qualifiers’ against Colombia after struggling give Brazil the win. Twenty20 international against Sri matches are set to take place from most of the match to answer a magnif- In the early match, Ecuador and Lanka at Sophia Gardens on September 13 to 25 later this year. icent bicycle-kick goal by Luis Diaz. Peru failed to settle who advances to Wednesday as the hosts went 1-0 up in According to All Nepal Football The 11th-hour win gave the the quarter-finals, drawing 2-2 in a three-match series. Association (ANFA), Nepal will bid to “Selecao” a perfect nine points from Goiania. Ecuador took the early lead Sri Lanka were restricted to a mod- host the group match. Altogether 28 three matches in the South American from an own goal, the ball going in off est 129-7 after winning the toss, with teams will participate in the qualifi- championships, and extended their the foot of Peru’s Renato Tapia in a leg-spinner Adil Rashid taking 2-17 ers comprising eight groups. They current winning streak to 11 matches. jostle in front of the goal in the 23rd from his four overs and Sam Curran are divided into four groups of four However, the victory was steeped in minute. Ayrton Preciado scored in 2-25 from three overs. Chris Woakes, teams and three groups of four controversy: Brazil’s second-half stoppage time to close the first half playing his first international teams. The winners of all groups will equaliser, a Roberto Firmino header, with Ecuador ahead of Peru 2-0. T20 since 2015, went wicketless in an qualify for finals set to take place in was preceded by a Neymar pass that Peru’s Gianluca Lapadula answered economical return of 0-14 in three India from January 20 to February 6. glanced off Argentine referee Nestor in the 49th minute off a pass from overs. Defending champions Japan, run- Pitana. Christian Cueva and Andre Carillo Rashid, however, did not concede a ners-up Australia and third-placed netted the equaliser in the 54th boundary while enticing Kusal Perera China along with hosts India have minute. and Wanindu Hasaranga to hole out to secured automatic berths for the GROUP B STANDINGS Ecuador had come into the match Chris Jordan at long-on. Only Dasun finals. (PR) with only one point, earned in a draw Shanaka with 50 off 44 balls really Teams P W D L GF GA PTS with Venezuela, while Peru had three. threatened England’s attack. Nepal’s ICC tri-series matches Brazil 3 3 0 0 9 1 9 Each earned another point, putting But a target of 130 proved well with- Colombia 4 1 1 2 3 4 4 Peru in joint second place with in the range of England, the world’s postponed to July 2022 Peru 3 1 1 1 4 7 4 Colombia. Brazil now have nine points top-ranked T20 side, as they won with KATHMANDU: Nepal’s tri-series match- Ecuador 3 0 2 1 4 5 2 and Ecuador and Venezuela two each. 17 balls to spare. Buttler thrashed Brazil were already through to the eight fours and one six in his innings es of the ICC World Cricket League 2 Venezuela 3 0 2 1 2 5 2 with Scotland and Namibia set to quarter-finals before Wednesday’s and shared an opening stand of 80 take place in Spain in July have been AFP/RSS matches, and are now joined by with Jason Roy. postponed till July 2022, according to Colombia heatedly argued after- Brazil’s Roberto Firmino (left) scored the equaliser against Colombia in their Copa America Colombia. The rest of the group’s fate “The thing about batting in partner- the Cricket Association of Nepal ward that play should have been football tournament at the Nilton Santos stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Thursday. will be decided Sunday, when Brazil ships is it allows you to try and sit in (CAN). In a statement on Thursday, stopped, but Pitana ruled neither side face Ecuador and Peru play Venezuela. and keep Roy back on strike,” said the cricket governing body said the was hindered and allowed the match arcing cross from just outside the pen- sped past Colombian keeper David The top four of five teams in player of the match Buttler, whose series was postponed owing to the to continue. Disgruntled Colombia alty area. Diaz executed a spectacular Ospina. each of two groups advance to the innings was labelled a “masterclass” Covid-19 pandemic. CAN on Friday fans on social media turned the refer- bicycle kick to rifle the ball past Brazil Colombia immediately erupted into quarter-finals. by England captain Eoin Morgan. “I had announced a 20-member squad ee’s name into a viral hashtag, joking keeper Weverton. It was exactly the protest, arguing Pitana’s contact with But the action on the pitch contin- think it was a fantastic performance for closed camp training to prepare he had played as “Brazil’s 12th man.” kind of play Brazil, which prides the ball seconds earlier should have ues to be overshadowed in Brazil by from the boys, early wickets in the for the series. The League 2 features The resentment only grew when an itself on beautiful football, has stopped play. But Pitana, who refereed the controversial decision to host the power play always keep you in the seven teams—Nepal, Oman, USA, unmarked Casemiro headed in the struggled to conjure recently, and even the 2018 World Cup final, ruled the Copa America at all, given that the game,” added Buttler after his ninth United Arab Emirates, Scotland, winner deep into stoppage time. the home announcers hailed it as a goal valid after checking the video. country has registered more than half half-century in just 20 T20 innings Namibia and Papua New Guinea. However, Colombia, who are second “golaco.” “It’s sad that with all the effort we a million deaths in the coronavirus opening for England. Nepal will play 36 ODIs in total by in Group ‘B’ with four points from Colombia looked content to play made against one of the best teams in pandemic, second only to the United Morgan, speaking to BBC Radio, February 2023. The teams that finish four matches, still secured a spot in defense after that, and Brazil dominat- the world, we lost the match on a call States. The matches, played in empty was pleased by an all-round display in top three will secure berths for the the quarter-finals. ed possession—but struggled to create like that,” said Juventus striker stadiums, have generated less buzz that augurs well for England’s pros- World Cup Qualifiers while the bot- Porto winger Diaz opened the scor- opportunities. Then, in the 78th min- Cuadrado. “A referee with that much than the 41 Covid-19 infections detect- pects in October’s T20 World Cup. tom four will compete in the World ing in Rio de Janeiro in the 10th min- ute, Firmino finally found the equalis- international experience, who’s refer- ed among players, coaches and tourna- The series continues with a second Cup Qualifiers playoffs set to take ute, when Juan Cuadrado lobbed an er with an authoritative header that eed at the World Cup, makes a mistake ment service providers. match at Sophia Gardens on Thursday. place in 2023. Nepal have so far played four matches in the three-year League 2 cycle and stand sixth in the table with two wins and two losses. (PR) Giant slayers New Zealand hailed for deserving win in Test final Spain to lift restrictions in La AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE have built a brilliant and humble between India and New Zealand. “It’s the job.” when the winning runs were scored. Liga matches from next season WELLINGTON, JUNE 24 squad who have become an inspira- a story that’s akin to David versus News website Stuff.co.nz cricket Legendary allrounder Richard MADRID: La Liga can take another step tion to many New Zealanders.” Goliath but Kane Williamson and his writer Mark Geenty labelled the New Hadlee—widely regarded as New towards normality next season after New Zealand cricket fans on Thursday The final was screened through the team are now World Test Champions Zealander “giant slayers”, singling Zealand’s greatest-ever player—said the Spanish government confirmed hailed a “David and Goliath” win over night in New Zealand and bleary-eyed and living proof that sometimes, just out paceman Kyle Jamieson as an “this current group of players is the on Thursday it has lifted its ban on India in the inaugural World Test viewers were mindful of the Black sometimes, nice guys do finish first,” emerging star after a man-of-the- best in our history”. fans attending stadiums. The exact Championship, praising Kane Caps’ defeats in the past two one-day former Test cricketer turned commen- match performance. “Jamieson was “Over the past two years, the Blacks capacity allowed in each stadium will Williamson’s men for erasing the World Cup deciders. New Zealand rug- tator Simon Doull said. the dominant individual at Caps performances in the Test arena be determined by regional authori- heartache of recent big-match by’s three-time world champions All Indian cricket icon Sachin Southampton, snaring match figures have been outstanding, with wins at ties, with some restrictions still possi- failures. Blacks said those results, devastating Tendulkar said New Zealand deserved of 7-61 including the prized wicket of home and abroad,” he said. “They ble, especially in the north of Spain. The Black Caps were also lauded for at the time, could now be regarded as their victory. “Congrats @ Kohli in both innings,” he wrote. thoroughly deserve to be crowned But the government giving permis- the manner in which they claimed “just warm-ups for the main event”. BLACKCAPS on winning the #WTC21. “Sixteen months after making his world champions.” sion for supporters to return is an victory, with pundits saying their “Congratulations @BLACKCAPS You were the superior team,” debut against India at Wellington, Amid the joy, Australian cricket important first step as La Liga clubs sporting spirit shone through during on taking out the grandest prize ever Tendulkar wrote on Twitter. Former Jamieson has 46 wickets from eight captain Tim Paine was trending on begin to recover financially from the a deserved victory in Southampton. on offer in the history of cricket, the India batting stalwart VVS Laxman Tests at the scarcely believable aver- New Zealand Twitter as the result of Covid-19 pandemic. La Liga president “This was a masterful performance World Test Championship,” the team’s agreed. “Congratulations @ age of 14.” his pre-match prediction that India Javier Tebas said earlier this week he from a team at the top of their game official Twitter feed said. “You BLACKCAPS on being deserving Others noted how fitting it was that would win “pretty comfortably”. “Has expects stadiums to be at least 70 per and on top of the world,” Prime dreamed big and made us all proud.” champions,” he tweeted. “NZ bowlers Williamson and veteran batsman Ross anyone checked on Tim?” Black Caps cent full at the start of the season in Minister Jacinda Ardern said. “Kane Many pointed to the huge disparity were terrific, Williamson and Taylor Taylor—both key figures in New fan Benji Crossley tweeted. “I’m here August. (AGENCIES) Williamson and the team leadership in financial and playing resources brought in their experience to finish Zealand’s rise—were in the middle for the pettiness today.” HOROSCOPE ARIES (March 21-April 19) **** CANCER (June 22-July 22) *** LIBRA (September 23-October 22) *** CAPRICORN (December 22-January 19) **** Don’t rest on your laurels today, Aries. You’re ready Take a closer look at the stories simmering around Home is where the heart is today, Libra. Let yourself As a Capricorn, you can rarely recognise when you to push ahead with your ambitions and make things your relationships, Cancer. Your ruling planet, the cosy up in your own private world, away from all the need rest. Let the universe give you the hint today, as happen on the career front, as the capable Capricorn shape-shifting moon, continues her trek through noise. The moon’s presence in grounded Capricorn the moon’s nurturing presence in your sign helps moon sends your focus towards the current state of Capricorn’s rugged terrain. The day brings fresh sends your focus towards family connections and the you sync back up with your body. It’s an ideal day to your work life. insights or changes to your current goals. state of your living environment. treat yourself to some pampering.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) *** LEO (July 23-August 22) *** SCORPIO (October 23-November 21) *** AQUARIUS (January 20-February 18) *** It’s important for you to get out of your usual routine Put your nose to the grindstone today, Leo. You’re Send your attention towards your mental health Time away from society is key today, Aquarius. today, Taurus. You’re likely to be feeling stuck in a ready to make things happen on the work front and today, Scorpio. What can you do to clear some space, You’re craving solitude, peace, and restorative stagnant headspace, and the only thing that’s bound you have all the energy you need to see it through. and return to a state of balance? The grounded action—so, honour your desire to pull away. The to help is an adventure. Do what you can to keep your Today it’s easy for you to apply yourself on the job Capricorn moon encourages you to find an outlet for grounded Capricorn moon helps you highlight what brain engaged and seek fresh perspectives. and cross things off your to-do list. your voice and excess of thoughts. needs releasing from deep within.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21) **** VIRGO (August 23-September 22) **** SAGITTARIUS (November 22-December 21) *** PISCES (February 19-March 20) *** Gemini, you’re not in the mood for a light and fluffy As a Virgo, you can be excessively hard on yourself The universe is asking you to put some of your tal- Find your sense of community today, Pisces. You’re socialisation, as you’re craving privacy and intimacy when it comes to downtime. Let yourself release the ents to good use, Sagittarius. Rather than letting likely to be craving social connection to cultivate a above all today. The serious Capricorn moon sends need to be overly productive today. The earthy your skills collect dust, aim to re-activate them and clearer view of your current goals. Today the capable your focus towards relationship matters that need Capricorn moon sends your focus toward passion bring them to life today. The capable Capricorn moon Capricorn moon makes it easy to cruise ahead tending to. projects and romantic reverie. makes it easy to stay on task. towards your aspirations. CROSSWORD SUDOKU

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION

C M Y K FRIDAY, JUNE 25, 2021 | 07

Ronaldo close to setting new goal scoring record Loew was confident The Juventus forward scores twice against France taking his goal scoring tally to 109, tied with Iran’s Ali Daei as the all-time men’s record. Germany would fight

EURO 2020 STANDINGS back against Hungary REUTERS Group A MUNICH, JUNE 24 Teams P W D L GF GA PTS Italy* 3 3 0 0 7 0 9 Germany coach Joachim Loew was confident his side would Wales* 3 1 1 1 3 2 4 power their way back into the game after twice going behind Switzerland* 3 1 1 1 4 5 4 to unfancied opponents Hungary in a dramatic European Turkey** 3 0 0 3 1 8 0 Championship group decider in Munich on Wednesday. Group B Loew said he watched with growing confidence as Germany Belgium* 3 3 0 0 7 1 9 threw everything forward in the closing stages and equalised six minutes from time through Leon Goretzka to salvage a 2-2 Denmark* 3 1 0 2 5 4 3 draw. That gave them second place in Group F and set up a Finland** 3 1 0 2 1 3 3 June 29 Round of 16 match against England at Wembley. Russia** 3 1 0 2 2 7 3 “With 10 minutes left we decided to throw on all our attack- Group C ing players. I really liked the power that we showed, and that’s Netherlands* 3 3 0 0 8 2 9 why I had the feeling that we could score a goal. At half-time Austria* 3 2 0 1 4 3 6 I told the players we need to be faster in our combination play Ukraine* 3 1 0 2 4 5 3 but without losing our nerve, and not trying to attack without North Macedonia** 3 0 0 3 2 8 0 structure. I sensed the players wanted to turn it around with all that they could throw at it, to make it to the next round.” Group D Hungary were always going to be a difficult opponent even England* 3 2 1 0 2 0 7 if they were the outsiders in a tough group, the German Croatia* 3 1 1 1 4 3 4 coach added. Czech Republic* 3 1 1 1 3 2 4 “We expected they would make it desperate for us with Scotland** 3 0 1 2 1 5 1 their defensive block, with their energy in the duels and clos- Group E ing down the spaces. Falling behind twice made it very diffi- Sweden* 3 2 1 0 4 2 7 cult to turn the match around. We didn’t open up enough Spain* 3 1 2 0 6 1 5 space in their defence so in the end, it was a strong mentality and good spirit that saw us through,” he said. England will be Slovakia** 3 1 0 2 2 7 3 a different prospect in the knockout stage, he added. Poland** 3 0 1 2 4 6 1 Group F France* 3 1 2 0 4 3 5 Round of 16 Fixtures Germany* 3 1 1 1 6 5 4 Portugal* 3 1 1 1 7 6 4 Hungary** 3 0 2 1 3 6 2 *qualified **eliminated Note: Top two teams in each of the six groups progress to last 16, along with four best third-placed sides.

Kounde’s second international game and AP/RSS his first start, chosen by Deschamps specif- Cristiano Ronaldo’s Euro 2020 leading fourth and fifth goals also extended his overall tournament record to 14, five more than French great Michel Platini. ically to stop Ronaldo. Benzema first scored a penalty in first- ASSOCIATED PRESS striker Ali Daei. first ever at the tournament after failing to half injury time after Nelson Semedo cut BUDAPEST, JUNE 24 Daei scored 109 goals in 149 appearances find the target at Euro 2008 and 2012. They across Mbappe as he was running to meet a for Iran between 1993 and 2006. were also his first goals for the national pass from Paul Pogba. The decision stood Wales vs Denmark Cristiano Ronaldo’s goals are adding up “Congratulations to @cristiano who is team since October 2015. Soon after that, he following a quick video review. Benzema 21:45 NST, Saturday, June 26 fast, and they are taking Portugal deeper now one goal away from breaking the men’s lost his place in the team because of his had missed his previous penalty for Italy vs Austria into yet another tournament. international goal scoring record,” Daei role in a sextape scandal. Les Bleus in his international comeback Ronaldo scored two penalties Wednesday posted on Instagram. “I am honoured that “Of course I was waiting for these goals,” in a friendly against Wales earlier this 00:45 NST, Sunday, June 27 to help the defending champions secure a this remarkable achievement will belong to Benzema said. “There has been a lot of month. Netherlands vs Czech Republic 2-2 draw with France and give the team a Ronaldo - great champion of football and pressure on me, but I’ve never given up.” Ronaldo went to shake Benzema’s hand 21:45 NST, Sunday, June 27 spot in the round of 16 at the European caring humanist who inspires and impacts The Portuguese ended up in third place and even put his arm around him as they Championship. This also increased his lives throughout the world.” in the group, one spot behind Germany. walked off smiling at halftime. The former Belgium vs Portugal total with the national team to 109 goals in The Portugal great’s Euro 2020-leading World Cup champions France, who had Real Madrid teammates then swapped jer- 00:45 NST, Monday, June 28 178 international appearances, tied for the fourth and fifth goals also extended his already qualified following a 1-1 draw with seys as they walked down the tunnel. Croatia vs Spain all-time men’s record with former Iran overall tournament record to 14, five more Hungary, finished first. The French will “It was a great pleasure to see him again. than French great Michel face Switzerland in the next round while We achieved so much together when we 21:45 NST, Monday, June 28 Platini, who scored nine Portugal will take on Belgium. played for Real Madrid, scored so many France vs Switzerland times to lead France to “This was a really tough group,” France goals together,” Benzema said. “We just 00:45 NST, Tuesday, June 29 Euro title in 1984. coach Didier Deschamps said. “Hungary wished each other good luck for the rest of Ronaldo is also the first proved that.” the tournament.” England vs Germany player to appear at five edi- Ronaldo scored the opening goal in the Benzema’s second goal came in the 47th 21:45 NST, Tuesday, June 29 tions of the tournament. 31st minute after France goalkeeper after a run down the right to meet Pogba’s Sweden vs Ukraine The 36-year-old Ronaldo’s Hugo Lloris misread a free kick and pass from midfield. He got in behind the historic run began 17 years punched Danilo’s face. Lloris was shown a defence and slotted the ball past Portugal 00:45 NST, Wednesday, June 30 ago when he scored his first yellow card by Spanish referee Antonio goalkeeper Rui Patricio and in off the left goal for Portugal in a 2-1 Mateu Lahoz, who then immediately sig- post. loss to Greece during the nalled for medical assistance and awarded Pogba almost scored a winner for France group stage at Euro 2004. a penalty. midway through the second half, but Results First Euro goals from He then equalised from the spot in the Patricio made a superb one-handed save to Portugal 2-2 France Benzema 60th, after Benzema put the French ahead tip the curling shot off the crossbar Karim Benzema scored 2-1, when his cross from the left made con- and then saved Antoine Griezmann’s follow Germany 2-2 Hungary both of France’s goals, his tact with the hand of Jules Kounde. It was up shot. Strikers struggle for goals, wing backs shine ASSOCIATED PRESS Europe’s leading striker in the knock- team in the domestic league, Robin LONDON, JUNE 24 out phase. Three goals from Robert Gosens has never played in the Lewandowski weren’t enough to carry Bundesliga nor Germany’s youth Kylian Mbappe scored the most goals Poland through to the next round. teams. But after flourishing in Italy in France last season, and Harry The top individual scorer is, unsur- with Atalanta—who have become a Kane did likewise in the Premier prisingly, Cristiano Ronaldo, with five regular in the Champions League— League. for Portugal. Gosens has more than justified It’s not just the fact that neither But it’s own-goals that made a big Joachim Loew’s decision to call him Paris Saint-Germain nor Tottenham splash. After only nine own-goals from up for international duty. His signa- won their leagues that links them. Nor 1960 to 2016 at European ture performance in the group stage the fact that both strikers are being Championships, there have been eight came when he forced an own-goal, set talked about for transfers to new clubs in less than two weeks this year. up a goal and then scored himself in a after the European Championship. 4-2 win over Portugal. Although prolific for their clubs— What benefits any modern side is Mbappe with 27 league goals and Kane While Mbappe and the versatility of players. with 23—neither has managed to rep- There’s Joshua Kimmich, who can licate their domestic scoring output at Kane struggle for excel as a right back or in midfield the Euro. Kane managed only one shot goals, Dumfries and with Germany and Bayern Munich. on target in the three games for And for so long a fullback at Bayern England. Mbappe had three for Gosens have shone. alongside him, David Alaba has flour- France. But neither striker found the ished more recently as a centre back. back of the net. With Austria, he’s been more of a France are at least reaping the ben- While some leading strikers are central defensive playmaker. efit of recalling Karim Benzema after struggling to make an impact, this Euro 2020 will be seeing more of six years in international exile. It was tournament has been a stage for wing him as Austria have advanced to the the Real Madrid forward scoring for backs to shine. round of 16 for the first time, next France for the first time in 2,085 Denzel Dumfries has been the unex- playing Italy. Euro 2020 is a unique days—twice in fact—that secured a 2-2 pected star for the Netherlands, capi- tournament, affording home advan- draw against Portugal on Wednesday talising on a 3-5-2 formation that gives tage to more countries than ever and passage into the round of 16. him space to surge down the right before. Of the 11 cities being used At least it was Mbappe who earned when in attacking mode. Goals against across Europe, nine teams had the a penalty for Benzema, which is a the Ukraine and Austria—the PSV chance to play in their home stadi- greater contribution than Kane has Eindhoven’s player first for the nation- ums. Only Italy and the Netherlands, made as England also advanced as al team—helped them into the last 16. who both failed to qualify for the last AFP/RSS group winners. While Dumfries was familiar to the World Cup, won all three of their A steward holds up a sign asking the supporters to wear face mask before the UEFA Euro 2020 Group F Euro 2020, however, will be missing Dutch, playing for the second-place group matches. football match between Germany and Hungary at the Allianz Arena in Munich on Wednesday.

C M Y K FRIDAY, JUNE 25, 2021 | 08 CULTURE & LIFESTYLE (C.R.P.D.) - 3/052/053 Ananta Wagle: If you want to raise your children to be readers, you need to invest your time

SRIZU BAJRACHARYA books, talks about the importance ters. Do characters like these together and make time to listen KATHMANDU of instilling reading habits in chil- speak more to children? to what their children understood dren. from the stories. If you want to ore than a year Excerpts: Yes, that’s true. Both these stories raise your children to be readers, into the pan- use fictional characters and create you need to invest your time. demic, children As a reading expert, can you tell a colourful fantasy world to mir- And in terms of children’s book are still at home us a bit about your role in teach- ror the problems of the real world publication, I think we still have a and away from ing reading? And do you think and that’s because a child’s mind long way to go. Although today we the communal Nepal’s education system places is full of imaginations and they have more picture books for chil- Menvironment of schools and class- importance on reading? remember better when the charac- dren, we still don’t have enough rooms. For parents, explaining to ters in the books are fun. We children’s books that cater to chil- their children about the Covid-19 Children understand the world believe imaginative stories affect dren of different age groups. We world has been a daunting task. better with stories, and it’s easier their understanding in a more need books that are based on our Ananta Wagle is a quality read- to start a conversation with them effective way. Interactive charac- culture and lifestyle that will ing material expert with Room to when you can show them charac- ters such as a talking chalk and inspire children to see themselves Read--an organisation that focuses ters they can understand and board, and dogs with human emo- in the stories they read. We don’t on the literacy development of relate to. I grew up listening to tions help children grasp stories have enough stories and novels to children. Wagle believes stories stories and that has made all the better. The conflict in the story engage young teenage readers. In are the best way to make children difference to how I see the world. and characters’ actions and strug- our time we grew up reading clas- understand the dynamics of the And I love my work because it gles leave a deeper impression on sic children’s books and folk sto- Covid-19 stricken world. allows me to work on shaping the children because they relate to ries, and they were usually bereft As part of the project ‘Children mindset of children. them and their imagination. And of diverse cultural representation. during the time of Covid-19’, My work requires me to oversee this is the impression literature These things matter if we are to Wagle’s organisation recently children’s reading experience, has in people’s lives--it touches make this world kinder and more launched two children’s books in looking into the nuance of how a people in ways nothing else can. inclusive. the Nepali language—‘Tiger ko child would comprehend informa- And that is also why we need to Naya Ghar’ by Tanka Chaulagain tion in a book and their fluency in introduce children to books. What do you suggest parents and ‘Chalk ra Patiko Gau Yatra’ understanding the book’s subject and teachers do to instil reading by Bhabasagar Ghimire. The matter. I also write and edit chil- Nepal has seen a surge in chil- habits in children? books will soon be available at dren’s stories and sometimes pro- dren’s book publication. Has that Room to Read’s e-library. In ‘Tiger vide reading training and manage helped raise young readers? Invest in reading time, read ko Naya Ghar’, a dog finds a new materials children need for quali- with them aloud and talk to them safe place for itself amidst the ty reading. I also advocate why it’s In recent years, there definitely about what they read. You can also uncertainty of the pandemic that essential to get children to read. has been a surge in children’s take part with your children in has torn the lives of its previous Frankly speaking, we don’t have book publication in Nepal. There communal or classroom reading caretakers and two friends. In a reading culture in the country. are a lot of picture books that have activities. The more you read with ‘Chalk ra Patiko Gau Yatra’, a Although things are changing, come out in the market and many your children, the more you will chalk and blackboard from a local and more people understand why institutions and parents have open their world. village school visit their school we need to nurture a reading habit started focusing on children’s And as you go, try to make as friends at their homes and give in children, our education system reading habits. But don’t mistake many books accessible to your them books to read. still falters in making reading the increased publications to children so that they can slowly The books with their narration activity a critical engagement in think that we have managed to develop an understanding of their and artistic illustrations simplify our growing years. The sorry state develop a reading culture. interests. Introduce to them the understanding of how the of government-run libraries is better, they need to be introduced children away from problems. We You have to understand that just diverse books and set aside read- virus has affected people. They enough to tell that nurturing read- to books beyond their subject don’t usually communicate with increasing the number of chil- ing hours. I understand providing discuss the emotions and difficul- ing habits of the public, let alone books. And that understanding is them about difficult situations. dren’s books won’t guarantee a reading materials and time is also ties people are facing in a way children, has never been a priority still missing in parents, teachers But to raise children with an reading culture. Raising young a matter of privilege and access children can comprehend and the for the government or the educa- and education institutions. awareness of their activities and readers requires time and effort. and that is why institutions and importance of kindness, which tion system. the sensitivity of the social world, Both parents and teachers need to public libraries have more of a the world needs right now. Educating children is not just Why is it essential to nurture we need to communicate with chil- actively engage in reading activi- role to play towards making In this interview with the Post’s about acquainting them with reading habits in children? dren as we do with adults. The ties with their children. They need knowledge accessible. Only then Srizu Bajracharya, Wagle, who course books. For children to more we are able to talk about the to sit down with children and dis- we will be able to build a society was the editor of the two story- know the world and engage with it There are so many things to learn pandemic with them, the more we cuss the stories they have read that reads. about in life that even a lifetime is will be able to protect them. not enough to cover everything. In our culture, we tend to over- The education systems’ various protect our children by curbing curricula are designed to meet their understanding of difficult certain specific goals, a defining things in life. But that has to knowledge, but in the school of change. We need to be able to talk life, learning is never-ending, and to our children about the times we it is our reading habit that will are living in if we want to under- take us places. stand what they are going through When you nurture a child to as well. And that is also why we read, you teach them to be confi- need children’s books and con- dent and inculcate a habit to under- tents that help children compre- stand things deeply. You help them hend the times we are living in. understand words, their sounds When you engage them in these and meanings. And when they conversations, they will be better gradually develop their fluency in at tackling life and they will be reading, they will be better at com- more empathetic. Moreover, they prehending things in life. They will will understand the dos and don’ts be able to grasp more knowledge of the pandemic better. and communicate with informa- Our books ‘Tiger ko Naya Ghar’ tion to express themselves better. by Tanka Chaulagain and ‘Chalk Reading invigorates imagination ra Patiko Gau Yatra’ by and curiosity. It helps them expand Bhabasagar Ghimire address diffi- their understanding of the world. cult and emotional conversations The knowledge gained by read- of abandonment, illness, sadness, ing stories helps a child under- anxiety, isolation, fear, hunger in stand and feel what sadness, hap- relation to the pandemic. We piness and all the emotions people believe these stories will open go through in life are. And it is them up for conversations that usually stories and literature that have been difficult for parents to help children realise their inter- explain and provide information ests, talents and what they want to to children that will give them a do in life. Stories help children in better understanding of the times being their better selves. we are living through. : ROOM TO RE AD TO : ROOM

Is it important to speak with In Bhabasagar’s book ‘Chalk ra RTESY

children about Covid-19 and Patiko Gau Yatra’ and Tanka COU what it means? Chaulagain’s ‘Tiger ko Naya Ghar’, the main characters are

Our general instinct is to keep not human but fictional charac- RS BOOK COVE Jewish Museum in Berlin opens kids’ museum about Noah’s Ark Young children are invited to actively participate in Noah’s journey as soon as they set foot in the new ANOHA Children’s World.

KIRSTEN GRIESHABER tors, children between 3 and 10. BERLIN “We tried to always listen to the chil- dren when we created this world,” Ane orrential rain pours down, Kleine-Engel, the head of the children’s waves break and big puddles museum, told The Associated Press. splash as visitors enter the “From the beginning of the museum’s new children’s museum at the development, children were involved in Jewish Museum in Berlin. No the process and we plan to keep them on surprise there, because the board as co-curators in the future as well.” Texhibit is dedicated to the ancient story of Beyond giving the kids ample space for Noah’s Ark and begins in the middle of play and creativity, the museum also tries the biblical deluge. to teach them about the importance of Young children are invited to actively protecting the planet and biodiversity and participate in Noah’s journey as soon as fighting climate change. they set foot in the new ANOHA Children’s “We want the children to start thinking World, which opens Sunday. They can about big themes, too, when they come build little arks that they can float on a here,” Kleine-Engel said. “When the ani- “deluge simulator” or help rescue 150 ani- mals get on board of the ark, they can’t mals, created by over a dozen artists out of choose who they like or dislike—every- recycled material such as old spoons, body has to come along in order to survive, espresso coffeemakers, pieces of carpet or nobody should be excluded.” bike fenders. They can even use the ani- The museum also educates children mals’ pretend excrement—represented by about equality and diversity and tries to brown felt balls—to fertilize plants. make them understand that racism, anti- They can also cuddle a gigantic sloth, semitism and inequality should have no crawl through the serpentine body of an place on the Ark or in real life, Kleine- anaconda or take a rest on a yellow-eyed Engel added. octopus. And thus, in a very hands-on way, chil- The circular, wooden Ark is the centre- dren can make sure that the cockroaches, piece of the museum and spans 7 meters rats and snakes also get a spot on Noah’s (23 feet) tall and 28 meters (91 feet) wide. At Ark. They can put them on the lap of a its heart is an empty space where visitors huge orangutan who will keep them from

are invited to sit down, linger and think AP/RSS falling into the water. about life’s big universal questions: about In the end, all animals get a free ride on God and the world, the past and the future. which kids can write their thoughts, wish- from the Jewish Museum’s main building While the main Jewish Museum’s perma- the Ark—as well as the children and their At the end of the tour, there are glimps- es or worries. on a 2,700 square-meter (29,000 square-foot) nent and temporary exhibitions primarily parents, who also get free entry into the es of the earth again, rocks lurking out of The ANOHA museum was built inside a space. It was meant to open in May 2020 but cater to adults and teenagers, the chil- museum. the retreating floods and a big rainbow on former flower market, across the street was delayed by the coronavirus pandemic. dren’s museum targets the youngest visi- —Associated Press

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