WITHOUT F EAR OR FAVOUR

Nepal’s largest selling English daily Vol XXVIII No. 267 | 8 pages | Rs.5 O O Printed simultaneously in Kathmandu, Biratnagar, Bharatpur and Nepalgunj 27.6 C -1.0 C Wednesday, November 25, 2020 | 10-08-2077 Bhairahawa Jumla Commissions lobby for term extension as justice eludes conflict victims The term of the present set of commissioners ends in February but experts say without a political will to settle the tens of thousands of cases, there can be no progress.

BINOD GHIMIRE “The process won’t move ahead KATHMANDU, NOV 24 unless there is a political will,” said Govinda Bandi, a human rights law- The commissioners at the Commission yer. “Political parties still aren’t seri- of Investigation on Enforced ous about concluding the transitional Disappeared Persons and the Truth justice process.” and Reconciliation Commission, man- Incumbent commissioners at the dated to look into the conflict-era two commissions are the second set of human rights cases, are already lobby- office bearers after two two-year terms ing for the extension of their terms of the first ended in 2019 and they that end in three months. were appointed in early 2020. But they And this time, they want an exten- have not made much progress and the sion of four years saying that it will Covid-19 pandemic has come as a wel- take at least that long to complete the come excuse. investigations. The duration of the ten- The commissions took four years ure is at the government’s discretion. just to receive the complaints from the But without political commitment, victims. it is unlikely that the investigations Human rights defenders say the into the 2,506 complaints of disappear- existing leadership cannot make any ances and 63,718 cases in the truth decision against the parties’ will commission will ever be completed. because they are political appointees. “Finding out the whereabouts of According to spokesperson the disappeared from years back is a Adhikari, they have already put forth challenging job,” Ganga Dhar their demands for a four-year term Adhikari, spokesperson for the disap- extension of the commissioners before pearance commission, told the Post. Minister for Law and Justice Shiva “The commission needs at least four Maya Tumbahangphe, Nepali Congress POST PHOTO: PRAKASH CHANDRA TIMILSENA years to complete the investigation.” President Sher Bahadur Deuba and People work alongside a thresher after a paddy harvest at Dayarampur in Rajapur, Bardiya. Use of machines in farm work, particularly in the Tarai plains, is making agriculture more productive. The Comprehensive Peace Nepal Communist Party deputy parlia- Agreement was signed fourteen years mentary leader Subas Nembang. ago and had envisioned making public The two commissions have received information about the disappeared or complaints against Nepal Communist those killed during the decade-long Party (NCP) chair Pushpa Kamal armed conflict within 60 days of sign- Dahal, who was the commander of the With winter here, respiratory infections will ing of the deal. rebel force, and Deuba, under whose But it took over nine years just to prime ministership an emergency was establish the two commissions. And imposed in the country at the height although it’s over five years since the of the conflict. The highest number of transitional justice commissions were enforced disappearances is reported surge and so will virus spread, doctors warn formed, not a single case has been during Deuba’s tenure. investigated so far. >> Continued on page 2 Cold, dry air, low humidity, indoor stay and poorly ventilated rooms are likely to facilitate transmission of the coronavirus in a country where winter is deadly even at normal times.

ARJUN POUDEL was only at the end of March. dry, which may render mucus ineffec- KATHMANDU, NOV 24 Doctors say it is yet to be seen how tive to remove foreign invaders like SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes the virus, including SARS-Cov-2. Winter is here. And for the virus, it is Covid-19, will respond during this “Winter is always a tough season, as a godsend. winter. But since Nepal does see a surge we see a sudden surge of respiratory Doctors say the Covid-19 pandemic in viral infections—seasonal flu, rhino- illnesses. This winter is likely to be could get worse during cold months, virus and adenovirus, which infect the more dangerous as we have Covid-19 as conditions that exacerbate other lungs and respiratory tracts—during this time,” Dr Somnath Arjyal, former winter-related respiratory infections cold conditions, concerns are valid, chairman of Nepal Medical Council, a also apply to SARS-CoV-2. they say. Winter months mean people regulatory body of medical doctors “Cold, dry air facilitates the spread are more likely to stay indoors most of told the Post. “Risk of the spread of of the virus,” said Dr Niraj Bam, an the time with closed doors and win- virus and loss of lives depends on how associate professor at the Institute of dows, thereby increasing the chances well we implement safety protocols Medicine, Tribhuvan University. of virus infections, according to them. and make our preparations better.” “There certainly are concerns about In just about a month, Nepal will Social distancing and use of masks the rise in Covid-19 infections during mark the first year of its first Covid-19 have been highly effective in con- the winter.” case. trolling the virus spread worldwide. According to Bam, with the start of As of Tuesday, the country’s Covid- But cold weather is likely to force winter, around 150 people are visiting 19 tally has reached 224,078 with 1,361 people into poorly ventilated rooms the TU teaching hospital’s out-patient deaths. without masks and social distancing. Concerns have also grown over the decision to open schools outside Kathmandu Valley. “If we start formal classes without ensuring safety protocols, the virus is likely to penetrate each and every household,” Dr Baburam Marasini, for- mer director at the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division, told the Post. “What happened in Humla recently should be a wake-up call. The authori- ties must strictly enforce safety proto- cols and prepare multi-layer monitor- ing mechanisms before making deci- sions to resume classes.” Authorities in Humla shut down schools and colleges and restricted the movement of people from outside into the district after 56 people including 32 students of Mahabaudha Secondary School in Yalbang in Namkha Rural Municipality tested positive for Covid- POST PHOTO: BEEJU MAHARJAN 19 10 days ago. With surge in other viral infections in the respiratory tract in winter, doctors are worried. Doctors are also worried about more people contracting the coronavirus at department seeking treatment for res- So far 204,858 people have recov- hospitals during winter. More people piratory diseases. ered. frequent hospitals during winter for “This is a five-fold increase com- But there is no room for complacen- cold-related respiratory problems. pared to a month ago,” Bam told the cy, say experts. Dhungana says Covid-19 patients Post. “Among them, the number of “If the second wave of coronavirus may be deprived of beds as well dur- people infected with Covid-19 is signif- in European countries—the United ing cold months due to an increase in icant.” Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain— the number of patients with respirato- Nepal woke up to the pandemic a and a rapid increase in new cases and ry illnesses. little later than other countries. Even death rate in the United States of “I am worried about an increase in though the first Covid-19 case was America are anything to go by, coming Covid-19 mortality rate,” said detected in Wuhan of China, Nepal’s days will not be easy for us,” said Dr Dhungana. northern neighbour, in mid-Novem- Ashesh Dhungana, a pulmonologist Doctors say it could be a double ber last year, Nepal reported its first and critical care physician at Bir whammy, as safety protocols prepared coronavirus case in the third week of Hospital. “Chances of getting serious- by the Health Ministry before the end January, a winter month. The next case ly ill will be high if patients infected of the lockdown on July 21 are also yet with any other virus contract the to be fully implemented. coronavirus.” Since the lifting of the lockdown, Studies suggest there are some most of the offices have reopened, reasons why the virus spreads public vehicles are operating and res- faster during winter. taurants are welcoming guests. A drop in temperatures means “With the opening up of public plac- low humidity, which is consid- es, the risk of infection surge has ered the virus’ best friend. And increased,” said Dhungana. “I am per- when the weather gets cold, air sonally not against reopening offices gets drier. People staying indoors and academic institutions, but we also tend to use heating systems should strictly put in place safety pro- to keep themselves warm. This tocols, and we have to focus more on makes the air as well as the tis- this, as the virus spreads faster during sues lining the respiratory tract winter and in closed places.”

C M Y K WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2020 | 02 NATIONAL Only isolation centre in Rolpa closed despite several Covid cases KASHIRAM DANGI of Rs3 million, had started providing servic- ROLPA, NOV 24 es in June. The centre was run with the financial support of Rolpa Municipality The only isolation facility in Rolpa has been and nine rural municipalities in the dis- closed down by authorities despite the dis- trict. Around 200 coronavirus-infected peo- trict having many active cases, according to ple received health services from the centre the health and population ministry. There since its establishment. are 22 active Covid-19 cases in Rolpa as of Chief District Officer Narendra Rana Monday. said the District Covid-19 Crisis With the closure of the isolation centre at Management Committee has not taken any Jaljala Multiple Campus in Liwang, the decision over the operation of the isolation district headquarters of Rolpa, Covid-19 centre in the district due to the govern- patients in the district have been deprived ment’s policy of giving priority to home of proper health care and facilities. The isolation. isolation facility was closed three weeks ago “We have urged the infected people to stay after the campus administration asked the in home isolation by following health secu- District Covid-19 Crisis Management rity protocols,” said Rana, adding that the Committee to vacate its premises. committee would provide necessary sup- “We asked the chief district officer and port to the infected if they faced any health other concerned authorities to make difficulties. arrangements for a new location for the According to Rolpa Hospital, 15 Covid-19 isolation centre and not to shut it down patients are receiving treatment outside the completely but they paid no heed to us,” district. The infected people have been said Phabindra Aacharya, the coordinator urged to stay in home isolation but no insti- of Rolpa Hospital Management Committee. tution has been given the responsibility to “The treatment of the infected has been monitor them. greatly affected by the closure of the isola- Health officials have underscored the tion centre. We held talks with the chief need for a separate treatment centre for district officer several times regarding the Covid-19 patients to prevent the community management of the isolation facility but to transmission of the virus. They say the risk no avail,” said Aacharya. According to him, of community transmission is high from the health authority is facing further chal- patients staying in home isolation since POST PHOTO: KESHAV THAPA lenges in their fight against coronavirus they cannot strictly follow health security An excavator loads sand onto a truck on the banks of Sunkoshi river in Sindhuli. Illegal mining of sand and stones continues across the country despite the since the District Covid-19 Crisis measures in congested living quarters. government’s restrictions. Management Committee, which is headed “We are planning to provide treatment to by the chief district officer, is ineffective in the infected people by isolating them. But its actions. we cannot do it due to a lack of space,” said “The District Coordination Committee, Dr Dhanamaya Gharti Magar. According to Rolpa Municipality Office and other local her, the hospital refers symptomatic Covid- units are also indifferent towards the issue,” 19 patients to Banke, Dang, Butwal and said Aacharya. “We have been asking them Kathmandu for treatment due to the lack of Six-year-old missing girl found dead; to make arrangements for an isolation cen- isolation ward in the district. tre but no one has listened to us.” A total of 253 people have been infected The isolation centre at Jaljala Multiple with the virus in the district so far. Three Campus, which had been set up at the cost patients died in the course of treatment. rape and subsequent murder suspected Three persons injured on Tuesday as police opened fire at demonstrators demanding action against the guilty.

SUNITA BARAL Police Office in Gaushala on Monday night, urg- gas canisters to take the situation under control. MAHOTTARI, NOV 24 ing the police to arrest his son after the latter Chapagain said the security personnel were com- allegedly confessed to him about murdering the pelled to fire shots, as they could not contain the Three persons sustained critical injuries when minor. “We detained the suspect and handed him situation by lobbying tear gas and resorting to security personnel opened fire at demonstrators over to the Area Police Office in Bardibas for baton charge. protesting the abduction and murder of a six- investigation,” said Prakash Regmi, inspector at The security personnel of Nepal Police and year-old girl in Bardibas, Mahottari, on Tuesday. the Area Police Office in Gaushala. Armed Police Force have been mobilised in the The preliminary investigation showed that the The deceased’s relatives and the locals took to area to avert any untoward incident. The situa- minor was raped and subsequently murdered, the streets early Tuesday morning, demanding tion is under control now, said police. police said. strong action against the guilty. The protesters Police claimed that Sah was accused of other Buddi Raj Neupane of Bardibas Municipality-1 placed the body on the road and disrupted vehic- criminal charges as well. The Mahottari District and Shyam Karki of Bardibas-5 sustained bullet ular movement along the Bardibas section of the Court had released him on bail a month ago. He injuries in the skirmish. The critically injured East-West and BP highways for about five hours. had been arrested on charges of killing Dilip duo, according to ward chairman of Bardibas-1 They burnt tyres and chanted slogans demand- Thakur of Gaushala-4 some seven months ago. POST FILE PHOTO Chudamani Pokharel, were airlifted to ing justice for the victim. The case is pending in court. Covid-19 patients in the district are deprived of proper health care with the closure of the isolation centre Kathmandu for treatment. Another man, whose The demonstrators also set Sah’s house on fire The people of Bardibas also claimed that Sah at Jaljala Multiple Campus in Liwang. identity is yet to be ascertained, was also injured and prevented a fire engine from dousing the had attempted to rape another local girl who had after police thrashed him with a baton. He is blaze. The three-storey house was destroyed in gone to his store to buy juice during the lock- receiving treatment at the local health facility. the inferno. down. The villagers had come to her rescue as The six-year-old girl—daughter of Sahid A clash soon erupted as the security personnel the girl fled from the store crying. The case was Ansari, a resident of Bardibas Municipality used force to disperse the protesters and resume settled between the families of the victim and Ward No 14—had gone missing since Sunday vehicular movement. Police also lobbed 22 tear Sah, said a local. Bajhang villagers await evening. Her body wrapped in a sack was recov- ered near her residence on Monday night. The victim’s family claim the minor was kidnapped, raped and murdered. electricity connection According to Rajan Chapagain, the deputy superintendent of police at the Area Police Office in Bardibas, the body was sent to the pro- BASANTA PRATAP SINGH left for foreign countries in search of jobs.” vincial hospital in Janakpur for postmortem. BAJHANG, NOV 24 Two years ago, a contract was signed to Police arrested 25-year-old Arun Kumar Sah, expand the National Transmission Line to the victim’s neighbour, for his alleged involve- Two years ago, the Nepal Electricity 11 local units, except for remote Saipal ment in the minor’s death. Chapagain said the Authority Distribution Centre in Bajhang Rural Municipality. suspect confessed to his crime of murdering the decided to connect 11 out of 12 locals units “Electricity poles were brought to the girl but has not confessed to having raped her. in the district with the National district over a year ago. Some of them were Detailed investigation into the case is underway, Transmission Line. Hundreds of utility installed while most lie scattered on the he added. poles were installed in the villages in the roadsides,” said Mangal Bahadur Khadka, a According to the family, the victim had gone to last two years but no further work has been local resident of Khaptad Chhanna Rural Sah’s general store in the neighbourhood with done to supply electricity to the areas. Municipality. her younger sister to buy chocolates. Both the So far, only the district headquarters, According to the distribution centre, they sisters returned home. But the victim went back Chainpur, has a regular supply of electrici- had invited tenders on various dates to to the shop since Sah had allegedly lured her ty. Outside Chainpur, bazaar areas depend install transformers, fix wires and to extend with the promise of more chocolates. on small hydro projects and solar energy for around one km of the 11KV main transmis- Preliminary police investigation showed that their electricity needs but the rural areas sion line and 1,250 metres of the sub-trans- Sah raped the minor and murdered her on remain cut off from all supply of electricity. mission line in the district. Sunday evening. According to the investigation “It’s been two years since we were told “We had made contract agreements with officers, he kept the body in a sack and dumped it that we would get electricity in our villag- 11 companies to install 87 transformers at a near her residence on Monday evening before es,” said Anil Kami, a local resident of total cost of Rs 25 million. So far, 37 have fleeing to his ancestral home in Gaushala Kailash in Jayaprithvi Municipality Ward been installed,” said Rakesh Prasad Bhatta, Municipality Ward No 5, Mahottari. POST PHOTO: SUNITA BARAL No. 1. “Back in February, the distribution chief at the NEA Bajhang Distribution Sah’s father Raj Kishwor reached the Area Locals and the minor’s relatives took to the streets and disrupted traffic along East-West and BP highways on Tuesday. centre told us that they would start work on Centre. He blamed the nationwide lockdown wires but nothing has been done yet.” as the cause for delay in works. The lack of electricity in the villages has According to him, the onset of monsoon hindered development projects, say locals, after the lockdown also hindered work on and has also impacted economic activities. the supply lines. “The contractors are ready “We were excited about the prospect of to resume work now but there’s a shortage Commissions lobby for term extension as ... development after the installation of elec- of materials for the extension of transmis- tricity poles in our villages. But two years sion lines,” he said. “The central and region- >> Continued from page 1 Rishi Rajbhandari, secretary at the ministry, Human Rights Watch and Kathmandu-based have passed and nothing has been done so al offices of the NEA are yet to send addi- Former Speaker Daman Nath Dhungana, a said the extension process is yet to begin. Advocacy Forum jointly published a report far,” said Dal Khadka of Kailash in tional electricity wires, transformers and civil society leader, said concluding transitional But more important than appointing commis- expressing concern over the lack of progress in Jayprithvi Municipality. “Youths in my vil- other materials. The NEA district branch justice needs the people with high political and sioners is the amendment to the Enforced transitional justice and warned this could invite lage had hoped to operate small businesses does not have the authority to procure these social stature like Desmond Tutu in South Disappearance Enquiry, Truth and Reconciliation international jurisdiction. after the supply of electricity. But the elec- materials so we have to wait. We expect to Africa. Act-2014 as ordered by the Supreme Court in 2015 The international community has tricity never came and most of them have receive the materials by mid-December.” “The parties didn’t choose the established peo- since it does not adhere to international princi- already acted on violations during the ple because such people wouldn’t listen to them,” ples of transitional justice. decade-long conflict. he told the Post. “The existing team of commis- Existing legal provisions give the transitional In 2013, Nepal Army Colonel Kumar Lama was sioners is neither capable nor free to carry out justice commissions room for amnesty even in arrested in London for his alleged involvement CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY OF NEPAL investigations.” serious cases of human rights violations. The in illegal arrests, disappearances, torture and ELECTROMECHANICAL DEPARTMENT Unlike the disappearance commission, the 2015 order said convicts in cases related to rape, extrajudicial killings during the insurgency. His Head Office, Babarmahal, Kathmandu truth commission has not made any formal deci- extrajudicial killing, enforced disappearance charges were cleared in September 2016. sion about the term extension but its officials say and torture cannot be granted amnesty. In July 2016, then CPN (Maoist Centre) chief Intention to award the contract it is clear that completing the investigation is not But according to Rajbhandari, no work has yet Dahal was forced to cancel his visit to Australia (Publication Date: 2077/08/10) possible in a year or two. been done for the amendment even five years fearing arrest on the charges of abductions and This is to notify that, it is our intention to award the contract dated 2077/05/22 for execution “There is so much load that it is impossible to after the court order. extrajudicial executions that took place during of the following contract as corrected and modified in accordance with the Instructions complete [investigations] in a couple of years,” “The law will not be amended without an the insurgency after some civil society members to Bidders is hereby selected as substantially responsive lowest evaluated bids. Govinda Sharma, a member of the commission, agreement among the parties,” said human filed a complaint against him with the New told the Post. “However, we haven’t made any rights lawyer Bandi. South Wales state government. S. Substantially recommendations on the term extension yet.” Sharma of the Truth and Reconciliation, on Dahal, who was scheduled to inaugurate a N. Contract Responsive Lowest Bid Price In its four years of tenure, the previous truth the other hand, expects the amendment to hap- convention of the People’s Progressive Forum Evaluated Bidder commission received 63,718 complaints and com- pen soon. Australia, his party’s foreign wing, in Sydney, pleted a preliminary investigation that involved “We expect that the Act will be revised as per promptly pulled out of the event. 1 "The Supply, Delivery, Installation and Testing Shekhar Trading NRs. recording of statements from only 3,787 of the the Supreme Court decisions while deciding Rights observers say these two incidents had of 30 kVA Diesel genereator(s), ATS and AMF Concern, Thahity 21,97,813.13 complainants. about the tenure of the commissions,” said then prompted the political leadership to attempt panel for VOR/DME of Gautam Buddha Airport, Tole, Kathmandu +VAT Similarly, between 2015 and 2019, the disap- Sharma. to find a resolution to transitional justice in the Package-A," NCB-01-EMD-ME-077/78 pearance commission received 3,223 complaints The commissioners request, however, is homeland. from family members saying their loved ones unlikely to be fulfilled. But there has been little progress since. 2 "Supply & Delivery of Tyres for Fire Vehicles Shekhar Trading NRs. had disappeared during the decade-long conflict. “I don’t think it is possible to extend by four But Dhungana has a warning for Nepal’s polit- at Different Domestic Airport, Package B", Concern, Thahity 44,15,000.00 Of these, the commission is investigating only years,” said Rajbhandari ical leadership that the world is watching the NCB-01-EMD-ME-077/78 Tole, Kathmandu +VAT 2,506 complaints saying others didn’t fall under It is not only victims and the human rights transitional justice process in Nepal and there 3 "Supply and Delivery of Spare Parts of Fire Mahavir Shree its jurisdiction. The commission has completed campaigners within the country that are con- could be a foreign intervention if victims appeal preliminary investigation into the complaints cerned about the lack of progress in transitional to the international community. Vehicles, Ambulances, Generator for Different International Pvt. NRs. from 67 districts. justice. “It is already too late,” said Dhungana. “It is Domestic Airports, Package C", NCB-01- Ltd., Sinamangal, 25,02,134.00 Officials at the Law Ministry say although Last week, on the eve of the 14th anniversary possible that the cases of human rights viola- EMD-ME-077/78 Kathmandu +VAT they are aware that the two commissions need an of the signing of the peace deal between the gov- tions from the war era will be internationalised extension, the period remains undecided. ernment and the rebels, the New York-based and tried in international courts.”

C M Y K 03 | WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2020 NATIONAL Grade 12 exams begin with duration of tests curtailed by half The National Examination Board is preparing to publish the results within 45 days.

POST REPORT have the threat of virus transmission. KATHMANDU, NOV 24 Lok Bahadur Bhandari, general secretary of Higher Institutions and Hundreds of thousands of students Secondary Schools’ Association sat for grade 12 examinations from Nepal, said the seat planning was Tuesday amid safety precautions in done with a minimum of two-metre the face of Covid-19 pandemic. distance between two examinees Students across the country took and there was a proper arrangement the English test on the first day that of handwashing facilities and began at 8 in the morning. The three- sanitisers. hours examination has been curtailed It was also ensured that all the to an hour and half as the weightage examinees were properly masked. for the test was reduced by 60 percent. The examination board has asked The examinees are taking the written all the schools to submit the marks examination for 40 percent of the total under the internal evaluations by weightage, additional 40 percent eval- December 7 with a plan to publish the uation would be done based on their results within 45 days. performance in grade 11 and the “We are working with a plan to remaining 20 percent based on an come out with the results within a internal evaluation by the respective month,” said Aryal. “The students schools. will not have to wait for more than Durga Aryal, member-secretary of 45 days to get their results.” the National Examination Board, said Under the 20 percent evaluations, the examination started more smooth- the schools will mark their students ly than they had anticipated. based on their attendance, attitude in “We were a little worried mainly classrooms and group works. over the safety of the students,’’ he Owing to the safety concerns, the told the Post. “The way the examina- examinees, for the first time, were tion concluded has made us happy.” allowed to take the examination from POST PHOTO: RAJ KUMAR KARKI Minister for Education Giriraj their own schools. Security personnel in parade uniform stand sentry at the entrance to Sindhuligadhi, a historic fort in Sindhuli. Nepal Army is building a war museum at the site. Mani Pokharel, said the effective Among 433,131 examinees over management resulted in the smooth 14,000 took the test from exam centres conduct of the examination. most conveniently located in their “There was a dilemma and psycho- hometowns; logical tension over the grade 12 There are 4,105 examination students,” he told the journalists. “I centres across the country this time; am glad that the test has opened a door the number was 1,900 last year. The Tourism Ministry revives its plan to for higher studies to thousands of numbers of centres were increased to students.” reduce the crowd. The grade 12 examinations original- Around two thirds of the ly scheduled for May were postponed examination centre have a maximum join India’s air bubble arrangement as the country went into a lockdown of 100 examinees, according to the in March as a measure to contain the examination board. spread of coronavirus. The question sheets were sent There have been no commercial flights between the two neighbouring countries since March. Officials at the examination board through email to most examination and school operators claimed that centres. Printed question sheets were SANGAM PRASAIN According to Indian media reports, before any decision was made by the shared by India and Nepal but barring they had adopted proper safety made available to only those centres KATHMANDU, NOV 24 Nepal could be the new entrant to the Cabinet meeting. a few of them they have been closed measures to ensure the students don’t without internet service. list of countries with which India has “The proposal was then kept on since March 24 when the lockdown The Tourism Ministry has once again an air bubble agreement in South hold by Prime Minister KP Sharma was imposed in Nepal. proposed signing an “air bubble” Asia. India’s Ministry of External Oli as he said let’s look for a few weeks A large number of Nepalis living agreement with India more than one Affairs spokesperson Anurag before making the decision,” and working in India are worried as and a half months after its first Srivastava said “exploring the according to sources privy to the Nepal has not resumed flights to proposal was rejected outright by the possibility of an air bubble matter. “Then the festival season its immediate neighbour, although government amid soured relations arrangement with Nepal”. started and the proposal never got the international flights were allowed with the southern neighbour over India has an air bubble agreement attention of the ministry.” to resume from September 1 after five boundary disputes. with 22 countries globally. Within “Now that the souring relations months. Multiple sources at the ministry South Asia, India has an air bubble between Nepal and India have become On September 1, the government confirmed that the Covid-19 Crisis agreement with Afghanistan, Bhutan, normal to some extent, the proposal allowed regular passenger flights to Management Centre would table the Bangladesh, and the Maldives. has got traction again.” resume. On October 17, the proposal at the next Cabinet meeting In early October, before the start of According to officials, hundreds of government allowed tourists—trek- on Thursday to allow the ministry to the Dashain festival, Nepal had Nepalis working, studying and those kers and mountaineers—to come to sign the agreement. decided to join India’s “air bubble” gone for medical treatment in India Nepal. Although India continues to restrict scheme in order to bring hundreds of could benefit from the scheme. An official at the Civil Aviation regular international passenger Nepalis stranded in different parts of Restricting the roughly one-hour Authority of Nepal, who wished to flights, it allows flights through India. flights between the two capitals has remain anonymous, told the Post that “air bubbles” or “travel corridors”, a It was first proposed by India’s civil affected hundreds of thousands of they don’t understand the policy to system established between two aviation minister Hardeep Singh Puri citizens from both countries as they keep flights restricted with the imme- countries that perceive each other to in mid-August. have to face several hassles to travel diate neighbour even though the air be safe and allow carriers of both the After necessary discussions, overland in case of emergency. bubble scheme is the safest way to countries to fly their citizens either Tourism Minister Yogesh Bhattarai Amid the Covid-19 pandemic, the travel. way without any restrictions on the had tabled the agenda on joining the government has decided to extend the The Kathmandu-New Delhi sector number of passengers. air bubble scheme at the Covid-19 closure of the borders with India till is the busiest and one of the lucrative Under the arrangement, passengers Crisis Management Centre meeting. December 15. Earlier, the border was routes. Nearly a dozen of flights used POST PHOTO: ELITE JOSHI may have to stay in isolation as speci- However, Bhattarai tested positive expected to open on November 15. to take place daily on the route before Grade 12 students wearing face shields and masks take their exam at Navodit Higher fied by the respective governments. for the coronavirus on October 10 There are 20 entry border points the Covid-19 pandemic. Secondary School in Kapurdhara, Kathmandu, on Tuesday.

BRIEFING Valley mayors call for stringent steps to break Covid-19 spread chain Five dead in jeep crash Virologists suggest two ways to contain the pandemic: conscious public behaviour and government measures. BAITADI: Five people died and four oth- ers were injured when a passenger ANUP OJHA gent, unlike in earlier times when jeep swerved off and plunged some KATHMANDU, NOV 24 little else was done in strategic 100 metres down the road in preparations other than keeping Dasharathchand Municipality, With the major festive season over, people indoors, he added. Baitadi, on Tuesday. Police said the mayors of Kathmandu Valley have According to the Health Ministry victims were returning home after renewed their concern over coronavi- 1,790 new cases of Covid-19 were drawing their pensions in the Indian rus cases that are rising yet again, reported on Tuesday with 24 deaths town of Jhulaghat. There were 11 suggesting that the government take across the country. Till date, a total people on board the vehicle. Among stringent measures to break the chain of 224,078 people have been infected the injured, one was sent to of Covid-19 transmission. with the virus. Kathmandu Valley Dhangadhi while the other Two months ago, the forum of may- recorded 947 new infections—692 in three were being treated at ors of the 17 municipalities in the Kathmandu, 190 in Lalitpur and 65 in the district hospital. Valley, had asked the federal and pro- Bhaktapur. vincial governments to control the “This is a bleak situation. The num- arrival of people in the Valley through ber of deaths has increased, and Schools in six local units in major entry points even by deploying everyone should be serious about it,” the army if needed during the festive said Pun. Khotang resume regular classes season when public movement is high. The number of confirmed cases in KHOTANG: Six local units in Khotang In the second week of September, the Valley has reached 104,682, up district have reopened schools after the forum had suggested the govern- from 81,068 as of November 3. nearly seven months of closure due ment not ease the prohibitory orders Lalitpur Mayor Chiribabu to the Covid-19 pandemic. They start- imposed in the Valley for three weeks Maharjan, who didn’t take part in ed their classes after ensuring health by the district administration offices, Tuesday’s crisis management centre and safety measures for students and but their concerns were not addressed. meeting, blamed the central and feder- teachers. Dipnarayan Rai, mayor of “Now it’s inevitable to break the al governments for the present spike Diktel Rupakot Majhuwagadhi chain of Covid-19, and we have put in Covid-19 cases in Kathmandu Municipality, said a focal person forth our demands to the government Valley. selected by each school was trained for making a wise decision to save “We had suggested the government about health and safety protocol Kathmandu Valley and its people,” make a comprehensive strategic plan before the schools were allowed to said Madhyapur Thimi Mayor Madan and put in place restrictions in the resume classes from Monday. Sundar Shrestha, also the secretary of Valley. We had also suggested closing the Kathmandu Valley Mayors’ all the entry points to the Valley. The Forum, after attending a meeting of government didn’t, and we are facing Bail release granted for man the Corona Crisis Management Centre this difficult situation now,” said caught in subsidised rice on Tuesday. Maharjan. The meeting has decided to study “Now there is a possibility of the black marketeering the infection data of 21 days after government announcing another SURKHET: The District Administration Chhath and take necessary steps to round of restrictions but it should Office in Surkhet has issued a bail contain Covid-19, possibly by reimpos- POST PHOTO: SANJOG MANANDHAR not announce lockdown or restric- release order for Basudev Sharma, ing the restrictions, said Shrestha. A crowd seen at Makkhan in Kathmandu on November 22. With the festive season over, there is a concern regarding spike in Covid-19 cases. tions without proper coordination who was arrested last month for The meeting was attended by between the central, federal and transporting subsidised rice meant Deputy Prime Minister Ishwar ters and government secretaries. officials suspect that the proportion of the virus situation. local governments.” for Mugu district to Bhaktapur. Pokhrel, Home Minister Ram Bahadur Kathmandu Valley has become a cases has increased in the Valley in “There are only two means by He said the government should Sharma has been ordered to post the Thapa, Health Minister Bhanu Bhakta new hotspot of the Covid contagion as the festive season when it saw high which we can contain the virus in the work to a goal, and implement its bail amount of Rs 359,500. Acting Dhakal, Tourism Minister Yogesh officials and the people have not taken mobility especially at marketplaces. Valley. One is that people should be strategy for a visible outcome. “We are Chief District Officer Rom Mahat Bhattarai, Foreign Minister Pradeep necessary precautions, observers say. Dr Sher Bahadur Pun, virologist at aware, and the government should act ready to coordinate with all tiers of issued the order on Monday following Gyawali, Minister for Physical Government records show that nearly Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious firmly in controlling the spread of the government to contain the virus a hearing into the case. Sharma was Infrastructure and Transport Basanta 60 percent of the positive cases nation- Disease Hospital, Teku, suspects that virus,” said Pun. Should restrictions because our future depends on how we charged with black marketeering. Kumar Nembang, among other minis- wide are from the Valley and health the winter season might exacerbate be imposed again, they must be strin- can handle the virus,” said Maharjan.

C M Y K WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2020 | 04 OPINION EDITORIAL Stirrings in the wok of conspiracies Go digital The visits and manoeuvres of several high profile figures The government must digitise its services to ensure from India and China should public safety and also to be future ready. not be taken lightly.

Hundreds of thousands of applicants have been affected ever since the government suspended driver’s licence applications CK LAL and tests after it imposed a nationwide lockdown in March to contain the spread of the coronavirus. The Department of SOUTH SIDE Transport Management has postponed the driving tests five times since then. It is yet to announce the dates to resume this basic of services, which has caused major inconvenience to the general public while snatching their right to obtaining a driv- er’s licence. Celebrations of autumnal festivals If we do a rough math based on the number of applications were comparatively subdued this year the department received and the number of those who were due to the Covid-19 scare. Fewer people issued driver’s licences during the pre-pandemic days, some travelled to their ancestral village for 728,000 people have been deprived of getting their rightful Dashain festivities. Since jobs have licence to drive in the last eight months. Department records been lost and incomes have been reduced, Tihar lights glowed less show that they used to receive some 8,900 applications daily. bright. Chhath turned into a private In what is an apparent lack of governance and indicative of affair as devotees used makeshift ponds bureaucratic hurdles, department officials now say that they on their front yards or rooftops for the await ministry approval and are unsure when things will get veneration of the sun. For the political SHUTTERSTOCK back to normal since the distribution of licences comes under honchos, however, it was bickering as may not have been behind the design of simplicity of the stir-fried noodles with Kathmandu is too closely tied in mate- the federal government’s jurisdiction. Officials also maintain usual. the 16-point conspiracy, but keeping sautéed Chinese sausages as a quick rial and ideological terms with Beijing that their staff cannot handle the workload if tests were to On the diplomatic front, November Nepali Congress and the ruling party meal during his short visit scheduled to care much about concerns of New turned out to be a month of intense on the same page serves the interests for the November-end. The head-chef Delhi. Ambassador Yanqi has intensi- resume tomorrow, but nothing stops them from resuming engagements. The RAW chief Samant of the world’s second most powerful of Baluwatar must be wondering what fied her activities, wolf-warrior style, licence renewal, vehicle registration and tax collection, which Kumar Goel set the tone with his country best. Protection of strategic to suggest for the menu when a visitor to counter fresh Indian overtures. the department resumed in mid-June after the government much-publicised visit. Spooks usually investments and promotion of tactical from the Indo-Pacific Command at The Goyal gambit appears to have eased the lockdown restrictions, attracting huge crowds and move in mufti and hold secret rendez- assets are high on her priority list. Hawaii is almost sure to arrive as the started a new diplomatic duel between sans any public health protocols. vous. The New Delhi’s top spy flew into next prominent guest. Nepal’s northern and southern neigh- The Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Kathmandu in an Indian Air Force air- Masala noodles Entertaining high-profile guests to bours in Kathmandu. A seasoned secu- under which the department runs the system, must come out craft with a team of professionals and Along with bravery of Gurkhas, the win friends and influence people has rity analyst reasoned that the goat- of its deep slumber and fulfil its primary job of serving the held a meeting with the Supremo of the majesty of Mt Everest and the piety of been the established tradition of tailed map that Supremo Sharma Oli ruling dispensation. Lord Buddha, the perennially insecure Kathmandu since the Ranas perfected adopted through a constitutional taxpayers. The pandemic cannot be a reason anymore to keep The Indian Army chief MM group of pretentious nationalists now the art of ‘Shikar Diplomacy’ and used amendment may have prompted the postponing the public’s right to obtain a driving licence. The Naravane was the next high-profile vis- have one more thing to be proud of— it to their advantage. The Shahs diver- Hindutva lobby handover the Nepal ministry must shelve any issues that need to be settled with the itor from New Delhi to arrive with Nepal has overtaken Vietnam and sified into mountaineering, trekking charge to intelligence agencies. federal government or address any problems its department much fanfare. Besides receiving the become the country with second-high- and jungle safari diplomacy and reaped Perhaps primacy of sleuths in fresh might have to resume the applications and tests at the earliest. honorary rank of General of the Nepal est per capita consumption of instant its benefits. negotiations partly explains New But while restarting the services, public health protocols must Army from President Bidya Devi noodles after South Korea! Koreans and Since the employment of pilgrimage Delhi’s deafening silence over the car- be highly prioritised considering the high risks of contracting Bhandari and holding a meeting with Vietnamese eat instant noodles because policy seems to offer little advantage, tographic controversy despite having his Nepali counterpart Gen Purna they are too busy to cook local delica- culinary diplomacy perhaps deserves a what a redoubtable researcher the virus in the Kathmandu Valley, which has been reporting Chandra Thapa, he also called on the cies; Nepalis do so because they are too try. After all, it’s an old saw that the described in private communication as more than half of the daily new cases. Prime Minister KP Oli and managed to lazy to mince meat or slice vegetables way to a person’s heart passes through ‘untenable evidence according to con- And it is not that the ministry doesn’t have a system or that squeeze in excursions to the Everest to steam Momos. the palate. In any case, when giants are temporaneous historical sources’ of the department lacks the know-how to implement it. The digi- Base Camp and the Pashupatinath It’s possible that spymaster Goyal competing with each other, the best continuous possession. Sam Cowan tal mechanism to receive online applications already exists, temple. was received at Baluwatar with a plate course for a relatively weaker partner shows as much in his recently pub- which can easily lessen the number of people visiting the Regular flights between Kathmandu of aloo tama noodles to tickle his mind. is to fetch them food and drinks. lished scholarly piece. department’s office, which are usually crowded. In consulta- and New Delhi continue to be suspend- Gen Naravane may have been served a The Goyal move remains a matter of Gobi Manchurian tion with the department officials and federal government, the ed, but that doesn’t seem to have affect- bowl of chicken noodle soup to warm speculation. It’s extremely unlikely ed high-level movements between the his heart. Ambassador Yanqi has accli- Despite its name, Gobi Manchurian is that he came on a much-publicised trip ministry could easily implement a daily limit on the number of two capitals. It was quite natural for matised quite well and may have been an Indian-Chinese dish with very little to discuss India-Nepal relations, share applications and tests and move all other services and transac- the Chinese Ambassador Hou Yanqi to happy with a plateful of vegetable noo- connection to Manchuria except for its information about US-China rivalry in tions online in consideration of the Covid-19 situation. sit up and take notice. A day before the dles cooked with oodles of sliced onion, name. The best part about this fusion the Indian Ocean or strengthen The authorities need to capitalise on the opportunities pre- controversial meeting of the ruling shredded cabbage and grated carrots. cuisine is that its gravy goes equally Supremo Sharma Oli’s position by dis- sented by the pandemic and design a robust digital framework. Nepal Communist Party (NCP), she Having served in Bangkok as his well with pan-fried noodles and Dum closing secret information about his While this would help the government to meet its digital gov- held a long tête-à-tête with Supremo country’s resident envoy, the Indian Pukht biryani. Indian Prime Minister political rivals. ernance ambitions and dole out its services at immense speed Sharma Oli late in the evening. Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Narendra Modi loves Khichdi and he That leaves only one possibility: the Apart from posing for pictures and Shringla may have developed a taste for made a hash of India’s Nepal policy by super sleuth made an offer Oli would and with more efficiency, it also creates a win-win situation for posting them on social media, sharp bowls of Thai noodles. Perhaps relying a little too much on the find hard to resist. Having as many everyone as the general public and stakeholders have already Ambassador Yanqi speaks Urdu, a lan- chefs of Baluwatar have already begun Hindutva lobby in New Delhi. informants in Nepal, if not more, as embraced the digital wave. guage of nuanced meanings that share to experiment with the addition of tim- The Indian strategy of appeasing the Indians do, the Chinese probably got an Going digital saves us time and money, which could be put to several words with Nepali, and is mur and tomatoes to Tom Yum paste to permanent establishment of Nepal in inkling and have lost no time in mak- productive use rather than spending hours or even a day or two reputed to be an adroit persuader. give the soup a Nepali twist for a prom- 2014 at the cost of alienating progres- ing their moves. at government offices. For both the public and government, the Earlier this year, her urging saved the inent community member from Sikkim sive forces began to backfire badly The State Councillor and Defence shift to a truly digital system would make work a lot easier government from collapsing due to when he comes visiting. President of within a few months. Beijing and Minister Wei is too high in the Chinese compared to the stressful hassle it is now. Given the pandemic, intraparty squabbles. Nepali Congress Sher Bahadur Deuba Washington moved quickly to fill the hierarchy to take his sudden dash to Ambassador Yanqi’s concerns are also must love the Baluwatar broth. vacuum. A few years of being sidelined Kathmandu too lightly. Foreign this is a mechanism the government needs to implement and perhaps justifiable. Circumstantial evi- China’s State Councillor and Defence seems to have chastened the votaries of Secretary Shringla is no pushover keep exploring, not just at the Department of Transport dence shows that the Chinese have a Minister Gen Wei Fenghe has been a Hindu Rashtra theory. But it may be too either. Supremo Sharma Oli can either Management but across all sectors; and not just to ensure huge stake in the continuation of the nuclear chief and a missile force com- late to make amends. make noodles or stand in the middle everyone’s safety, but also to be future ready. post-2015 political order in Nepal. It mander and would probably enjoy the The ruling dispensation in with raised hands.

Nepal and India: Interdependence dynamics

dynamics demand recognising each them, third-country consideration The two countries must other’s sovereignty and identity, pro- is a state construct drawn primarily moting congenial constituencies and from the realist paradigm of domi- consciously move towards instruments, detaching their interac- nant and subtle power as prompted tions and actions from third countries by the countries in the North to a relationship aimed at and making bold, far-reaching and keep the Global South ever dependent. inclusive moves. India and Nepal, being both copart- interdependence. Sovereignty and identity is size, ners in the South-South Cooperation power and alignment neutral. and Non-Aligned Movement, must Sovereignty cannot be understood and keep these countries out which MAHENDRA P LAMA interpreted through the angle of con- historically remained outside this stituents of national power. India conglomeration. must recognise this core aspect of India must move into out of box Nepal’s sensitivity. Nepal while free- matrix and zero-sum diplomacy. The ing itself from the conventional box of key lies in India providing several small nation syndrome may con- alternative routes and market access to sciously delink its sharing of resourc- Nepal including through its India- es like river water with the erosion in Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway. While writing this final and the 101st its sovereignty and national power. This amounts to India negotiating and fortnightly column, I notice six Both countries have recorded a facilitating the incorporation of far-reaching changes unfurling in sharp decline in their respective con- Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal in South Asia. Firstly, India-Nepal rela- stituencies in each other’s countries. India’s Act East Policy and Modi’s tions are once again warming up and For almost 50 years since 1950, Nepal ‘neighbourhood first’ mission. Besides ascending to a newer height. The had a strong constituency in India and other pivots like mountain ports and tumultuous slide down had hit rock vice versa. These constituencies climate change cooperation, they could bottom. Secondly, India is largely able spread from academics to writers, harness richly impending to put forth stiff terms of negotiation media to farmers, politicians to sport- hydel power resources for cross border with China on issues of border skir- spersons, students to social activists, electricity trade through a common mishes. Thirdly, the fruition of esoter- traders and industrialists to tourism pool in the North East region of India. ic ideas like Indo-Pacific and agencies and professionals to cultural This is where the forthcoming visit Quadrilateral Security Dialogue has institutions. They absorbed the shocks of India’s Foreign Secretary to Nepal the potentiality to reorient the geopo- of any bilateral downswings and acquires unprecedented importance. litical alignments and regional POST FILE PHOTO stoutly advocated the upswings. These Harsh Vardhan Shringla commands a responses in Asia. Fourthly, India’s inance along with critical questioning graphical terrains, established dis- provocative actions invariably tend to critical yet vanishing constituencies new genre of respect, confidence and exit from the Regional Comprehensive of the vanguards of dependency tance in cultural ecology and incom- fall below the level of conflict, they do are today replaced by pariah commen- authority in Indian diplomacy. Economic Partnership signals a new propagators. parably wider and deeper historical generate visible psychological damag- tators, superficial experts, fly-by-night Besides working under the close stew- variety of economic competition and India-China cooperation diversi- and day-to-day relations with India. es and also galvanise ultra-national- operators and non-institutionalised ardship of both the prime minister intra- and inter-regional decoupling fied, deepened and consolidated dur- Even the economic superpowers do ism. US economic assistance to the agencies. and the foreign minister, he has wars. Fifthly, the novel coronavirus, ing the last three decades. However, it not tolerate their sliding towards Mujahideen in Pakistan to fight Why must India and Nepal consider demonstrated effective skills to deliv- while dismantling the state construct- took a sharp turn to the dependence dependency. They react violently and against the Soviet forces in China, the US and other countries in er something big and bold. An astute ed geographical borders triggered a of India on China. The total volume of in a sweeping manner. They use Afghanistan in the 1980s and 1990s and their relationship of such intimacy diplomat, Shringla’s ability to grasp variety of human borders wherein far Sino-India trade increased from a sophisticated instruments like decou- the subsequent event of killing of and interconnectedness? Over the and reposition bilateral interests has away from military and economic mere $3.4 million in 1970 to $2.8 billion pling and even do away with multilat- al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden by years their actions are appearing to be been widely applauded in Bangladesh, powers, the multinational pharmaceu- in 2000 and to a whopping $90.16 bil- eral institutions they themselves nur- its Navy SEALs near Islamabad in more reactions to what other coun- the Maldives, Thailand and the US. tical laboratories and individual vac- lion in 2018. This led to a colossal tured and built. The US attempt to 2011 have been vivid examples. tries pronounce and denounce. A His visit could pave the way for an cine inventors are emerging as new trade deficit of $53.56 billion in 2018-19 make Chinese goods face high tariffs India and Nepal have to consciously Nepali national working far away in early political confabulation between global messiahs. And finally, the end with China. Around 70 percent of in its domestic market and the literal move towards a relationship aimed at Goa and an Indian in Pokhara cannot Prime Ministers Modi and Oli to of the unpredictable, directionless India’s active pharmaceutical ingredi- run down of the World Trade interdependence. These two countries relate to this phenomenon of tagging revisit, renegotiate and reposition and unreliable Trump regime in the ents, 80 percent of solar imports and Organisation are examples. The have the strongest basis, rarest deter- and pegging with third countries as, the age-old ties once again. A US has rekindled the hope that multi- 30 percent of its power equipment Japanese government has set aside $2 mining variables and unparalleled for both of them, China and the US are warm goodbye to all the readers of my lateral institutions would be allowed come from China. billion as incentives for its companies win-win matrices of interdependence. far away, and farfetched too. What column and warmest thanks to all in to act freely once again. Smaller countries react to domi- in China shifting production back to These variables range from culture to matters to them is a smooth border the Post. I deeply enjoyed and cherish At the core of all these newer nance in a different way. Nepal, after Japan. environment, water to open border, crossing for their livelihood and my association with this prestigious trends, the decisive factor has facing the acute degree of dependency It is historically observed that when education and health to employment, growth. They cannot relate cross bor- daily. been the repositioning of the philoso- impact as demonstrated by the 1989 the dominant partner makes the other biodiversity to a traditional knowl- der environmental injury caused by phy of interdependence. And the cen- and 2015 economic blockades imposed reach a particular threshold of edge base, technology to institutions the Koshi and the use of education Having written for the Post as a tral dissipating agent is the sharp by India, consciously moved towards dependence, coercive activities by the and disaster to climate change man- and hospital amenities in each other’s columnist for over five years, this is erosion of faith in the dictum of dom- China. This was despite tough geo- former tend to increase. Though these agement. The interdependence country with China and the US. For Lama’s 101st and last column.

C M Y K 05 | WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2020 MONEY

FOREX

US 118.72 Gold imports jump 12-fold as WTO aiming to net Euro 141.04 Pound 158.63 fishing deal Japanese 11.39 Nepalis spend despite pandemic Chinese 18.06 AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE United States and Vietnam—account GENEVA, NOV 24 for almost half the total catch. Qatari 32.61 According to the Trade and Export Promotion Centre, Nepal imported Despite the years of discussion, Australian 87.34 Negotiations on banning billions multiple fault lines still exist, includ- Rs737 million worth of gold between mid-July and mid-October. of dollars in fisheries subsidies are ing over whether there are good subsi- Malaysian 29.04 coming to the crunch at the belea- dies and bad subsidies. KRISHANA PRASAIN guered World Trade Organization, European countries and others Saudi 31.66 KATHMANDU, NOV 24 with the deadline to net a deal fast such as Japan and South Korea want a Exchange rates fixed by Nepal Rastra Bank approaching. ban on subsidies, except where it has a Nepal imported 12 times more gold in Disagreements persist, especially positive impact and any potential neg- the first quarter than during the same over what the outcome might mean for ative effects can be cancelled out. Shares period last fiscal year as people developing countries, while over-fish- “If subsidies allow fishing to be splurged on the precious metal for ing continues to strip the seas of a made more sustainable—for example Nepse 1,810.11pts 1.67% festivals and weddings, officials said. hugely important resource on which by developing the use of selective According to the Trade and Export millions of people depend for their nets—then it must be permitted,” said HIGHEST GAINERS Promotion Centre, gold imports livelihoods. Jean-Marie Paugam, France’s perma- BNT HDL BBC AKJCL MPFL AIL 9.99 9.98% 9.95% 9.92% 9.87% 9.86% between mid-July and mid-October Negotiations began at the WTO in nent representative to the WTO. were worth Rs737 million. During the Doha in 2001 and got a much-needed MODERATE GAINERS PPCL FOWAD NLIC OHL SMFBS NBL same time last year, imports amount- boost with the adoption of the UN 2.82% 2.82% 2.80% 2.75% 2.72% 2.72% ed to Rs60 million. Sustainable Development Goals in Over-fishing strips MODERATE LOSERS Bullion traders said that the gold 2015. That set the end of 2020 as the LBL SMFDB GBIME NICGF SCB LUK market that wore a deserted look just non-binding deadline for eliminating the seas of resource -3.70% -3.40% -3.20% -1.90% -1.60% -1.00% before Dashain has been witnessing a subsidies that contribute to illegal, HIGHEST LOSERS slight increase in demand despite the unreported and unregulated fishing. on which millions of SHL SAPDBL JFL UNL API EBLCP pandemic and increased prices. It also bans certain types of subsi- -3.20% -3.07% -2.65% -2.00% -1.92% -1.78% The flurry of festivals in November dies that contribute to overcapacity people depend for and the approaching wedding season and overfishing, while providing spe- their livelihoods. saw buyers rushing to bullion stores cial treatment for the world’s develop- which, traders said, indicated that the ing and least developed countries. PRICE PER TOLA market was returning to normalcy Member states have so far failed to BULLION despite the pandemic continuing to reach an agreement but pressed into Others believe, on the contrary, that rage through the country. action by the approaching deadline, any subsidy is inherently bad and Fine Gold Rs 92,500 Manik Ratna Shakya, senior negotiators have been beavering away should be removed. There are also vice-president of the Federation of since September on the basis of a con- voices calling for subsidy caps. Silver Rs 1,180 Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ POST FILE PHOTO fidential working document. According to the same source close Associations, said that the citizens of Workers arrange gold jewellery at a shop in New Road, Kathmandu. Their work has been slowed by the to the talks, Brazil has put forward a SOURCE: FENEGOSIDA Kathmandu snapped up 30 kg of gold coronavirus pandemic and several plan under which the biggest subsidis- and 1,000 kg silver during Tihar week kg of gold in the first four months of idea that gold prices are not going to countries, including India, Sri Lanka, ers would have to make big reduc- till the day of Laxmi Puja. the current fiscal year. come down from six digits, and they Indonesia and Namibia, doubt the tions, while those giving less than $25 GASOLINE WATCH “Though festive sales were down Bullion traders are upbeat with the are not waiting to make their purchas- deadline can be met, according to a million in annual subsidies would be this year compared to last year, the winter wedding season approaching. es, former president Shakya said. source close to the discussions in exempt. One of the main stumbling bullion market observed satisfactory The summer wedding season was a According to domestic bullion trad- Geneva, where the WTO is based. blocks remains how developing coun- business despite a rise in prices and disaster as the nationwide lockdown ers, there are few chances that gold Global fisheries subsidies stood at tries and the poorest nations will be the pandemic,” Shakya told the Post. resulted in zero sales. prices will decline by any significant $35.4 billion in 2018, with $22 billion of treated. Some, such as India, are call- The seasonal demand occurred Bullion stores are seeing good foot- amount. that going towards building up fishing ing for them to be almost completely mainly due to the tradition of buying fall in recent days, said traders “The president-elect of the fleets, according to Ussif Rashid exempt from any constraints. gold and silver and metal artefacts “We are expecting good sales in the United States has said that he will Sumaila of the University of British That demand is difficult for every- during Tihar for good fortune. Festive ongoing wedding season,” Shakya prioritise the dollar, Covid-19 and rela- Columbia in a study which is regular- one to accept, especially since the sales this year plunged 40 percent said. Though sales have declined com- tions with China. If that happens, ly cited by diplomats. WTO system allows its members to from last year, he said. pared to last year, the market has there is a possibility of prices coming Meanwhile the Food and self-identify as developing countries. Anil Sharma, executive director of improved in terms of sales compared down,” said Shakya. Even then, it will Agriculture Organization of the Many of the major fishing nations the Nepal Bankers Association which to a month ago, he added. take time for gold prices to settle, he United Nations has an increasingly are considered developing countries, keeps a record of weekly sales, said “Following the onset of the wedding added. alarming outlook on over-fishing. including China, which has one of the that around 300 kg of gold was sold season, gold sales have reached 15-19 Gold could drop to $1,800 per ounce The FAO said a third of commercial biggest fishing fleets. during the festival. kg daily,” he said. During the same in the international market, and that fish stocks were fished at biologically NGOs stress the importance of Demand for gold spiked during time last year, sales reached around 40 means around Rs90,000 per tola in the unsustainable levels in 2017. reaching a deal, believing it would Tihar, he added. “Observing the kg daily, he added. domestic market, Shakya said. Global fisheries production in 2018 favour smaller fishing enterprises in sales trend, it seems that the bullion Tej Ratna Shakya, former president Bullion traders said they were reached a record 96.4 million tonnes— poorer countries. An agreement “will market was not affected by the of the federation, said, “Many pleasantly surprised by the good busi- up 5.4 percent on the average across benefit small-scale fishermen, because higher prices or the coronavirus,” he weddings were cancelled during the ness during Tihar despite the virus the three previous years. when we talk about fishing subsidies, told the Post. first nationwide lockdown, and pent- dampening the festive spirit and rise The increase was mainly due to approximately 80 or 85 percent goes to Sharma added that imports in first up demand is leading to a rise in sales in gold prices. marine fisheries, in which the top large-scale industrial fishing,” said four months of the fiscal year 2018-19 of late.” Nepal imported gold valued at Rs13 seven producing countries—China, Remi Parmentier, an advisor to the reached 2,200 kg. Banks imported 650 People are also getting used to the billion in the last fiscal year. Indonesia, Peru, India, Russia, the Friends of Ocean Action group. New Trump Toyota halts operations at Barcelona bars spring back to life after rule may require Indian plant again as five-week coronavirus closure some tourists REUTERS them back to work as the contagion all staff incomes and she expected union strike continues BARCELONA, NOV 24 ebbed. business to remain subdued for a A nighttime curfew remains in while after the pandemic stifled tour- to pay up to REUTERS the automaker’s India unit said on Bustling waiters and the smell of cof- place, and tough restrictions continue ism in the world’s second most-visited BENGALURU, NOV 24 Tuesday. fee returned to Barcelona’s pavements in the rest of the country as well as country. Even after the lock out was lifted by on Monday as bars and restaurants in most of Europe. “It is a very slow process ... If there $15,000 in bonds Toyota Motor Corp again halted oper- TKM, only a few team members have the Spanish region of Catalonia reo- The region also reopened theatres, is no tourism our sales fall by half,” ations at its car plant in southern reported to work, the company said. pened in a phased easing of coronavi- cinemas, musical halls and outdoor she said. REUTERS India from Monday, as the majority of “For plant operations to run rus restrictions. sports facilities with a 50 percent max- Spain, which has more than 1.58 WASHINGTON, NOV 24 members of its workers’ union contin- smoothly and effectively, a minimum Suppliers rolled in carts with gro- imum occupancy. million Covid-19 cases—western ued a sit-in strike, the automaker said. workforce of 90 percent in each shift is ceries and masked attendants spaced But after the dismay caused by the Europe’s second highest tally after The outgoing administration of US Both the Toyota Kirloskar Motor required. In view of the current situa- out tables on terraces and inside as second shutdown of the sector this France—and 43,131 dead—imposed a President Donald Trump on Monday (TKM) factories in the industrial hub tion, it is not viable to carry on with the first customers ordered their year, proprietors showed little opti- six-month state of emergency in issued a new temporary rule that of Bidadi, Karnataka, had declared a manufacturing activity.” morning coffee with croissants. mism, especially since they still have October, giving regions legal backing could require tourist and business “lock out” on November 10 after the The disruption follows months of a “The people of the neighbourhood to close by 9.30 pm. to impose curfews and restrict travel. travellers from two dozen countries, union went on strike, saying that their slump in sales, and comes at a time are keen to see the bars reopen, “It’s very hard because there are The overall number of infections most in Africa, to pay a bond of as demand to withdraw the suspension when vehicle deliveries to dealers are they’ve been asking us every day and taxes, you have to pay everything, has grown by close to 26,000 since much as $15,000 to visit the United of a worker was not met. picking up in anticipation of strong looking forward to this Monday,” res- there are debts. Before, we did not Friday and deaths increased by 512, States. The local state government’s labour demand during the festive period. taurant owner Eduardo de Vincenzo, owe anything and now we owe money, the Health Ministry said on Monday. The US State Department said the department had prohibited the strike India’s top car maker Maruti Suzuki 68, told Reuters. it is a sad reality that I think has New infections measured over the temporary final rule, which takes by the workmen, as well as the “legal said sales between October and Catalonia was the first Spanish happened de around the planet,” past 14 days fell to 374 per 100,000 peo- effect Dec. 24 and runs through June lock out” declared by the management December were expected to be good region to fully close bars and restau- Vincenzo said. ple as of Monday from 530 in the first 24, targets countries whose nationals from November 19 and directed opera- due to demand for personal transport rants amid the second Covid-19 wave Susana Rubio, manager of another week of November. In Catalonia, that have higher rates of overstaying B-2 tions to resume, a spokesperson for and purchases during the festivals. in mid-October, and is the first to put cafe, said the closure had impacted rate dropped to around 354. visas for tourists and B-1 visas for business travellers. The Trump administration said the six-month pilot program aims to test the feasibil- ity of collecting such bonds and will serve as a diplomatic deterrence to Japan’s ramen bars struggle to stay open as Covid-19 hammers small firms overstaying the visas. Trump, who lost a re-election bid REUTERS But industry insiders expect that is nesses were already on knife-edge earlier this month, made restricting TOKYO, NOV 24 just the tip of the iceberg, as local before Covid-19, often run by elderly immigration a central part of his four- shops often close up with no official owners, said Takeshi Yamamoto, an year term in office. President-elect Joe Sixty-year-old Yashiro Haga is folding filing. independent ramen critic who tracks Biden, a Democrat, has pledged to his Tokyo noodle ramen shop after 15 “Many ramen shops won’t appear in shop closures. reverse many of the Republican presi- years in December, unable to over- any figures when they’re closing down Those were followed by a wave of dent’s immigration policies, but come the prospect of a lasting custom- because they’re small, privately noodle chains closing outlets, and now untangling hundreds of changes could er slump due to the coronavirus crisis. owned businesses,” said Haga, who some places with younger owners are take months or years. “The flow of people has changed has gone without salary since April. shutting down, said Yamamoto, who Biden’s transition team did not due to the coronavirus,” Haga said, Hiroaki Nakazawa, a 42-year-old has eaten at more than 10,000 noodle immediately respond to a request for standing behind the counter of his pharmacist who has frequented shops. comment related to the visa bond ground-floor shop, Shirohachi. Shirohachi for about a decade, said he He estimated that the real number requirement. The visa bond rule will “Customers aren’t coming in and felt sad about its closure. “There’s of ramen shops shutting down nation- allow US consular officers to require queuing up outside shops any longer.” only one place like this.” wide was about 290 in October and tourist and business travellers from The pandemic is damaging Japan’s At least seven other noodle stalls in November alone. countries whose nationals had an “mom-and-pop” restaurants—includ- the central Tokyo area popular with The spate of closures has helped “overstay rate” of 10 percent or higher ing noodle shops like Haga’s—at a tourists where Haga has his table-less some. Actpro’s platform for matching in 2019 to pay a refundable bond of growing rate, despite evidence the shop, which seats nine people at the businesses looking to shut down with $5,000, $10,000 or $15,000. government’s massive effort to stave counter, have already closed since firms hoping to move into the location Twenty-four countries meet that off bankruptcies is working in other March this year. being vacated has been a hit. criteria, including 15 African coun- sectors of the economy. Nationwide, 34 ramen businesses Once a match is made, a restaurant tries. While those nations had higher Hurt by deflationary pressures and with at least 10 million yen in liabili- owner and the incoming owner negoti- rates of overstays, they sent relatively growing competition in the run-up to ties went bankrupt during the first ate with the landlord, cutting costs. few travellers to the United States. the now-delayed Tokyo Olympics, noo- nine months of 2020, also a record The company has seen the match- Historically, US consular officers dle bars are particularly prone to the high for the period, Teikoku Databank ings quadruple to about 70 to 80 a have been discouraged from requiring economic malaise the pandemic trig- said. month after the crisis started taking travellers to the United States to post a gered in the service sector. Another reason why experts say its toll, Shintani said. bond, with State Department guid- Small and mid-sized businesses like statistics underestimate the true Shirohachi’s Haga used about ance saying processing of the bonds Haga’s noodle bar employ about 70 impact of the pandemic on ramen $29,000 in government subsidies to get would be “cumbersome,” the tempo- percent of Japan’s workers and REUTERS shops is that winding down is expen- through until his closure. rary rule said. account for 99.7 percent of the total Sixty-year-old Yashiro Haga cooks ramen noodles at his noodle shop ‘Shirohachi’, amid the sive due to requirements from land- He tried offering his noodles Countries whose tourist and busi- number of enterprises, according to Covid-19 outbreak in Tokyo on November 20. lords to leave the stores stripped down through takeout but was unable to ness travellers could be subject to the government data, leading some to after a six-month notice period. make up for the income he lost after bond requirement include those from worry that a Covid-19 resurgence to October fell 5.2 percent from a year ities were up by 137 percent for the “There are many firms with a lack office workers’ visits fell due to work- Democratic Republic of Congo, could trigger an increasing number of earlier, those among restaurants rose same period, Tokyo Shoko Research, a of cash flow,” said Manabu Shintani, from-home restrictions. Liberia, Sudan, Chad, Angola, layoffs among small firms. 4.5 percent, data from private credit firm that monitors similar data, CEO of Actpro Co, a property inter- “Even among the most popular plac- Burundi, Djibouti and Eritrea. Other While overall bankruptcies among company Teikoku Databank showed. said, while the total for the service- mediation services provider. es, sales from takeout aren’t exceed- countries include Afghanistan, firms with at least 10 million yen Bankruptcies among restaurants sector, including restaurants, Among noodle shops, the first to ing” the sales drop from the crisis, Bhutan, Iran, Syria, Laos and Yemen. ($96,228) in liabilities in the six months with less than 10 million yen in liabil- rose 64.4 percent. fold this year were those whose busi- ramen critic Yamamoto said.

C M Y K WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2020 | 06 WORLD BRIEFING Russia’s Sputnik vaccine to Biden’s choice for UN Thai protest leaders to face royal insult charges envoy signals return BANGKOK: Thai police have summoned cost less than $20 per person seven leaders of anti-government pro- tests to face charges of lese-majeste Moscow and its foreign partners have the capacity to make more than a billion over comments made at demonstra- to US engagement tions that demanded reforms to the monarchy, a police source said. It will doses starting from next year, head of Russian Direct Investment Fund says. be the first time such charges have ASSOCIATED PRESS signal to Biden supporters that his been brought under laws relating to REUTERS WASHINGTON, NOV 24 diversity message and plan to elevate insults to the royal family in more MOSCOW, NOV 24 As India readies vaccine strategy, Modi warns of career diplomats is not just lip ser- than two years. They can carry up to Joe Biden’s pick to be the next US vice. 15 years in prison. The source, who Russia’s Sputnik V COVID-19 possible side-effects ambassador to the United Nations, a Biden also named two white men, declined to be named because he was vaccine will cost less than $20 low-key, veteran foreign service Antony Blinken and Jake Sullivan, to not authorised to speak to the media, per person on international markets officer, reflects the president-elect’s top positions in his administration — said the protest leaders had until and Moscow aims to produce intent to return to a more traditional respectively, secretary of state and November 30 to answer the summons- more than a billion doses at role at the world body as well as offer national security adviser, and so es, which were brought over com- home and abroad next year, an olive branch to a beleaguered Thomas-Greenfield’s appointment ments made at protests on September its backers and developers said on diplomatic corps. will offer a balance. Susan Rice, who 19 and 20. Tuesday. If confirmed by the Senate, Linda was also under consideration to be The Sputnik vaccine is adminis- Thomas-Greenfield, would be neither secretary of state, was the first tered in two shots, each of which will the first African American nor the African American woman to hold the India bans 43 mobile apps cost less than $10 each, according to first woman, nor even the first African UN post, but she was not a career for- as it takes on China the official Sputnik V Twitter account. American woman, to serve as US eign service officer, though she held a NEW DELHI: India banned 43 mobile For Russian citizens, vaccination will ambassador to the United Nations. senior State Department position in applications on Tuesday including be free of charge. But she’s a groundbreaking diplomat President Bill Clinton’s administra- Alibaba Group Holding Ltd’s e-com- The pricing announcement comes nonetheless. Thomas-Greenfield tion. merce app Aliexpress in a new wave as Russia looks to scale up distribu- joined the State Department more Other than secretary of state, the of web sanctions targeted at China tion and production. Kirill Dmitriev, than three decades ago, when Black US ambassador to the United Nations with whom it has engaged in a head of Russia’s RDIF sovereign women were even more of a rarity in is often the most high-profile foreign months-long standoff at a Himalayan wealth fund, said Moscow and its for- the US diplomatic corps than they are policy portfolio in a presidential border site. The 43 mostly-Chinese eign partners had capacity to make today. administration. The influence of origin apps, which also include a few more than a billion doses starting That makes her the most experi- these ambassadors has waxed and dating apps, threaten the “sovereign- from next year, enough to vaccinate enced diplomat of the six people waned depending on the nature of the ty and integrity of India”, the tech- over 500 million people. named by Biden for top national secu- president and secretary of state, but nology ministry said in a statement. The international market price for REUTERS rity positions on Monday. Her tenure Democratic administrations have tra- India has previously banned more Sputnik V unveiled on Tuesday is Modi says it is not yet known which vaccine would be launched in India and at what price. at the State Department rivals that of ditionally leaned more heavily on than 170 apps saying they collect and cheaper than some other Western previous UN ambassadors like them than Republicans have. share users data that could pose a rivals such as a vaccine produced by REUTERS “Even medicines popular for 20 Richard Holbrooke, John Negroponte Thomas-Greenfield’s immediate threat to the state. The moves, which Pfizer-BioNTech, which costs 15.5 NEW DELHI, NOV 24 years and used by hundreds of thou- and Thomas Pickering, all of them predecessors — all women — high- India’s technology minister has earli- euros per shot, but more expensive sands of people lead to reactions in white men. light that dichotomy: Rice, Samantha er referred to as a “digital strike”, that a vaccine produced by Indian Prime Minister Narendra some, even today,” Modi said in a Thomas-Greenfield’s background Power, Nikki Haley and Kelly Craft. come after 20 Indian soldiers were AstraZeneca which will be sold in Modi warned on Tuesday that any video conference with state chief min- positions her well to carry out Biden’s When then-President-elect Barack killed in a skirmish with Chinese Europe for around 2.5 euros per Covid-19 vaccine could lead to side-ef- isters. goal of returning the United States to Obama named Rice to the job after troops at a disputed Himalayan bor- shot. fects in some people, as even popular “It’s possible with vaccines too. Any a role as a leading force at the world being elected in 2008 and announced der site in June. Dmitriev told Reuters that Moscow medicines do, and that the govern- decision on them should only be body, after four years of an adminis- that the position would return to the had deliberately tried to get the ment would only go by science in weighed on a scientific scale. Whatever tration that has had little use for mul- Cabinet after eight years during price down to make it available to as finalising one for the country. vaccine makes it through the world’s tilateralism or international organiza- George W. Bush’s administration, he France to probe clashes after many people around the world as pos- The comments came ahead of the certified processes, we will have to tions. did so at the same time as announcing sible. possible launch of the Oxford- accept them and move ahead.” “My mother taught me to lead with that his Democratic primary rival, police cleared out new Paris RDIF said in a statement: “Sputnik AstraZeneca vaccine by early next Modi said it was not yet known the power of kindness and compas- Hillary Clinton, would be his secre- migrant camp V will be two or more times cheaper year in India, the country with the which vaccine would be launched in sion to make the world a better place,” tary of state. PARIS: French Interior Minister than mRNA vaccines with similar effi- world’s second-highest number of India and at what price, but urged she said in a tweet Monday. “I’ve car- At the UN, Rice was clearly influen- Gerald Darmanin said he was launch- cacy levels.” coronavirus infections after the states to work with the federal govern- ried that lesson with me throughout tial in the Obama administration, and ing a probe into clashes that broke It said it was basing its assessment United States. ment to keep distribution infrastruc- my career in Foreign Service – and, if Power followed suit after she replaced out late on Monday after police on mRNA vaccines where pricing had The question of who pays any ture such as cold storages ready. confirmed, will do the same as Rice when Rice was named national cleared out a new migrant camp in already been announced and interim claims for damages for unexpected After the AstraZeneca vaccine’s Ambassador to the United Nations.” security adviser, retaining Cabinet Paris’ Place de la Republique. People phase three clinical trials were under- side-effects has been a tricky point in third-stage trial results were revealed Biden’s office announced on rank. Haley, the former South Carolina posted photos and videos on social way. supply negotiations between coun- on Monday, its Indian manufacturer Monday his intent to Thomas- governor, won some plaudits during media of police hitting demonstra- RDIF and the Gamaleya National tries and drug makers over potential the Serum Institute of India Greenfield, who currently heads his Trump’s early years in office but was tors as they moved in to clear the Center said earlier on Tuesday that vaccines. Some richer countries have said it would first focus on supplying transition team for the State dogged by persistent reports of clash- square of migrants’ tents, which the new clinical trial data based on 39 agreed full or partial exemptions from its home market in the next few Department, and for the job to retain es with the president’s first secretary police said had been set up without confirmed cases and 18,794 liability for firms to secure shots. months. its Cabinet-level rank. of state, Rex Tillerson. Craft, by con- official permission. “Some of the patients who got both shots had shown Indian officials have not comment- The other experimental vaccines on She is a 35-year veteran of the State trast, has played a far less-high profile images of the dispersion of the ille- that Sputnik V was 91.4 percent effec- ed on who would be held responsible trial in India are the government and Department who served as ambassa- role since taking over the UN job. gal migrant camp at Place de la tive on day 28 and over 95 percent if any vaccine led to serious unwant- Bharat Biotch’s COVAXIN; Russia’s dor to Liberia, director general of the Even before the transition made it Republique are shocking,” Darmanin effective on day 42. ed consequences. Brazil has said it Sputnik-V; Zydus Cadila’s ZyCoV-D foreign service and top diplomat for public, Thomas-Greenfield’s expected wrote on Twitter in the early hours Moscow has been criticised by some will not exempt vaccine makers from and lastly one that Biological E. Ltd is Africa before being forced out during nomination, along with that of of Tuesday, adding that he was seek- scientists in the West who have liability, but Mexico could share some developing with Baylor College of the early months of the Trump admin- Blinken’s, was hailed by a number of ing a full report into the incident. accused it of cutting corners in an of the burden with laboratories. Medicine and Dynavax Technologies istration. former Democratic foreign policy The migrant camp at Place de la effort to try to rush out the vaccine. Modi said both speed and safety Corp. While she won’t be the first African appointees. Republique emerged just a week after Russia has denied that, alleging a were equally important in launching a India on Tuesday recorded 37,975 American to serve as America’s UN Thomas-Greenfield “is a valued col- police had cleared out a bigger, illegal Western dirty tricks campaign to put vaccine, but that, once established sci- new infections, taking the total to 9.18 envoy — Andrew Young, who held the league and veteran diplomat who will migrant campsite near the French people off its vaccine in what it entific processes had determined the million. Deaths rose by 480, with the job during President Jimmy Carter’s restore US leadership and cooperation national sports stadium. (AGENCIES) believes has become a battle for legiti- right path, India would follow it. total now at 134,218. administration, holds that distinction at the UN,” said former Secretary of macy and market share. — Thomas-Greenfield’s selection is a State Madeleine Albright. ‘When the war came, we just ran’. Ethiopian refugees find little relief ASSOCIATED PRESS UMM RAKOUBA, SUDAN, NOV 24

The baby was born on the run from war. Her first bath was in a puddle. Now she cries all night in a country that is not her own. Wrapped in borrowed clothing, the child is one of the newest and most fragile refugees among the nearly 40,000 who have fled the Ethiopian government’s offensive in the defiant Tigray region. They have hurried into Sudan, often under gunfire, sometimes so quickly they had to leave family behind. There is not enough to feed them in this remote area, and very little shelter. Some drink from the river that sepa- rates the countries, and more cross it every day. “We walked in the desert. We slept in the desert,” said one refugee, AP/RSS Blaines Alfao Eileen, who is eight Tigray refugees who fled the conflict in Ethiopia’s Tigray region, wait to get cooked rice served months pregnant and has befriended by Sudanese local volunteers at Um Rakuba refugee camp in Qadarif, Sudan. Lemlem Haylo Rada, the mother of the newborn. One woman is ethnic border in Sudan. Some refugees have There is little comfort to be found, Tigrayan, the other ethnic Amhara. little to protect them from the heat and even a hot meal. The refugees can wait The conflict could have turned them sun and curl under possessions as several hours to receive food. against each other, but motherhood meagre as umbrellas. Men have begun Sometimes they get none. intervened. weaving dried grass into temporary “I have been here 14 days and have That, and tragedy. “I do not know homes. not received anything,” one said. “I where my husband is and whether Covid-19 could be passing through have no clothes to wear.” he’s alive,” Eileen said. the crowds, but the people’s focus is People sit and wait, and wait. One Almost half the refugees are chil- elsewhere. small girl, frustrated, twisted the head dren under 18. Around 700 women are The local Sudanese villagers have of a plastic doll until the head popped currently pregnant, the United been praised for their generosity, but free. Nations says. they have little to give. A man wept into the crook of his It has been three weeks since More permanent camps for the refu- arm as he held up a tiny photo of his Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy gees are a drive of several hours away, 12-year-old son. The boy was shot Ahmed sent federal troops into Tigray and there is sometimes not even dead, he said. after accusing the region’s forces of enough fuel to transport them there. The more permanent camps were attacking a military base. Abiy’s gov- The threat of hostilities remains last used in the 1980s for Ethiopians ernment and the regional one each while they wait so close to the border. fleeing a famine worsened by a view the other as illegitimate, and the Some overworked humanitarians yearslong civil war. Nobel Peace Prize-winning prime have used the bare floor of a local For a long time, those images of minister on Sunday warned that a building as a makeshift hospital, starving people were seared final assault to take Tigray’s capital is treating wounds that refugees say onto Ethiopia’s reputation. It took imminent. were inflicted with machetes as decades to turn the country into one Civilians are caught in the middle Ethiopia’s long pent-up ethnic ten- of Africa’s biggest success stories, of what some experts describe as a sions were unleashed. with one of the world’s fastest-grow- conflict akin to an inter-state war, so Authorities are trying to keep eth- ing economies. But behind the boom, heavily armed is each side. nic Tigrayan refugees separate from political repression kept hostilities Many people barely know why they ethnic Amhara ones, out of concern among ethnic groups in check. had to flee. Now, people of all classes, about possible clashes. “We felt like we’d made it, and we from bankers to subsistence farmers, “We don’t know who is fighting us. were happy,” recalled Menas Hgoos, spend up to two weeks in so-called We don’t know who is with us or who who now finds herself fleeing to transit centres, waiting in makeshift is not with us. We don’t know. When Sudan a second time. “And now Abiy shelters in arid, almost treeless the war came, we just ran,” said Aret Ahmed is attacking us, we just left surroundings just over the Abraham. with only the clothes on our backs.”

C M Y K 07 | WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2020 SPORTS | MEDLEY BRIEFING Can Guardiola arrest Man City decline? Griezmann denies AC Milan’s Ibrahimovic out for rift with Messi two weeks with muscle injury The board showed how fully they are committed to Guardiola by extending his contract to 2023 and there are good reasons. MILAN: AC Milan striker Zlatan AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE without scoring, while Spurs netted Ibrahimovic will be out of action for MANCHESTER, NOV 24 with four of their five shots on at least ten days after picking up a target. Lyon, Mauricio Pochettino’s muscle injury in the 3-1 league win Pep Guardiola has committed to Tottenham, Liverpool and Monaco against Napoli at the weekend, the Manchester City for the long term have also cracked the City code in the Serie A club said on Monday. The but for the first time in his managerial Champions League by defending deep 39-year-old scored twice before suffer- career, results may determine the and counter-attacking at speed. REUTERS ing the injury as the Serie A leaders Catalan’s future rather than his desire Guardiola remains confident City Antoine Griezmann recorded their first league win in for a new challenge or break. City’s will soon start scoring goals with the Naples for more than 10 years. A club board showed how fully they remain frequency they have become accus- REUTERS spokesperson said it could take committed to the Guardiola project tomed to. “We have scored in two sea- BARCELONA, NOV 24 between two and three weeks for by extending his contract to 2023 sons more than 100 goals. Eighty or 90 Ibrahimovic to recover. The Swedish last week. percent of the players are the same, Barcelona forward Antoine striker, who has scored 10 goals in six There is good reason for the club’s especially up front,” he added. Griezmann has dismissed talk of a rift league games this season, will likely faith. Guardiola is responsible for two But it is without the ball the biggest with team mate Lionel Messi and said miss Europa League matches against of the three highest point tallies in questions remain. The intense press he had nothing to do with recent com- French side and Group H leaders Premier League history among six to get the ball back of the City sides ments about the Argentine forward Lille and Scotland’s Celtic on major trophies in his first four sea- that accumulated 198 Premier League from his former agent and his uncle. Thursday and on December 3, sons in charge. But a 2-0 defeat by points in two seasons between 2017 Earlier this month, Griezmann’s respectively. Ibrahimovic could also Tottenham on Saturday that left City and 2019 has gone. former agent Eric Olhats said Messi’s miss the final group game against already eight points off the top of the Without it, even an incredibly “reign of terror” had made life diffi- Sparta Prague. table continued the malaise that has expensive array of talented interna- cult for Griezmann, while the French set in since the beginning of last sea- tionals are too easy to play through. forward’s uncle said it was not easy to son. Albeit with a game in hand, City’s back four of Joao Cancelo, play in the same club as the six-time Athletic Bilbao thump Guardiola’s men are languishing in Aymeric Laporte, Ruben Dias and Ballon d’Or winner. Messi hit back Real Betis 4-0 in La Liga 13th in the Premier League table. Kyle Walker plus goalkeeper Ederson last week, saying he was tired of being MADRID: Athletic Bilbao comfortably A return of 12 points from their cost a combined £265 million ($352 blamed for problems at Barcelona. defeated Real Betis 4-0 in La Liga on opening eight games of the campaign million) and were still shredded by the Griezmann said he could no longer Monday. Athletic got on the board is the lowest since 2008/09, just months guile of Harry Kane and pace of Son remain silent on the matter. “I have with an own goal by Victor Ruiz in after an Abu Dhabi takeover starting REUTERS Heung-min and Steven Bergwijn. been putting up with comments for a the ninth minute, and Ander Capa pouring millions into the club. Pep Guardiola admitted that Manchester City were struggling to score goals this season. Guardiola deliberately kept his long while and now it’s time to say added to the lead before halftime. Iker City even have a negative goal dif- spells previously at Barcelona and enough,” he was quoted as saying in Muniain scored in the 59th and Alex ference after scoring just 10 times in not even been able to match City’s best But City have shown little this term Bayern Munich short as he felt his an interview with Movistar. Berenguer sealed the scoring in the the league, their lowest at this stage of run in the competition to the semi-fi- to suggest they have learned from the intense demands burned out even the “My agent is my sister, but she 68th. Betis goalkeeper Claudio Bravo the season since 2006/07 when they nals under Manuel Pellegrini in mistakes that have repeatedly cost best squads. Should he see out his lat- doesn’t speak. Neither do my parents. had to make a few good saves to finished 14th under Stuart Pearce and 2015/16. So far this season, Europe has them in the knockout stages of the est contract, he will spend as many As no one speaks, Eric offers an opin- keep the hosts from an even bigger failed to score a single goal at home been a blessed relief as the English Champions League once the level of seasons in Manchester as Barcelona ion but that can do a lot of damage and win at San Mames Stadium in Bilbao. after New Year’s Day. “The reality is side have swept aside Porto, Marseille opposition improves. The manner of and Munich combined. Unusually for create doubts about my relationship. The result moved Athletic to eighth we are struggling to score goals this and Olympiakos, scoring three goals defeat against Spurs was almost an one of world football’s greatest ever Leo knows I have a lot of respect for place. Manuel Pellegrini’s Betis season,” admitted Guardiola. “10 goals in each game to take a firm grip on exact replica of the 2-0 victory for Jose coaches, Guardiola finds himself in him. I learn from him. My uncle also are in mid-table, though they in eight games is not good enough.” Group B. Another victory away to Mourinho’s men when the sides last the uncharted territory of having to doesn’t know how football works. A have played one game more The Champions League has normal- Olympiakos on Wednesday will guar- met in February. Over the two match- rebuild a second great side at the same journalist wants a phrase out of you ... than Athletic. ly been the nadir of Guardiola’s time antee qualification for the last 16 for es at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium, club. The early signs have not been I told Leo I have nothing to do with in Manchester. In four seasons he has the eighth successive season. the visitors had 41 attempts on goal promising. them. I don’t speak to them.”

Taylor keen to prolong his career until 2023 World Cup WELLINGTON: New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor gave his side a boost on Paras Khadka among ICC’s Burnley get first win of the season, Friday ahead of their Twenty20 series against West Indies after the 36-year-old said he hoped to prolong his career through to the next one- associate player of decade nominees Southampton and Wolves draw day World Cup in India in 2023. Taylor had said earlier this year he SPORTS BUREAU 2010 to One-Day International (ODI) nation in AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE Wilfried Zaha after he tested positive for corona- would probably have a better idea KATHMANDU, NOV 24 2018. Under Khadka’s leadership, the Nepali BURNLEY, NOV 24 virus and Roy Hodgson’s side lacked a cutting about his plans after this season. cricket team got ODI status. edge without him as they slumped to a second However, the novel coronavirus Former national cricket team captain Paras A middle-order batsman, Khadka, who also Burnley won for the first time in the Premier defeat in three games. pandemic forced the cancellation Khadka was nominated by the International bowled medium pace, enjoyed an illustrious League this season as Chris Wood sealed a 1-0 Burnley had managed just three league goals of New Zealand’s mid-year tours Cricket Council for the ICC men’s Associate career ever since he made his foray into cricket. victory against Crystal Palace, while this season and hadn’t scored since October 3 and prompted organisers to resched- Player of the decade on Tuesday. Khadka represented the country in the Under-19 Southampton missed a chance to go third in when Ashley Westwood netted in a loss. But ule the Twenty20 World Cup, which Khadka, who stepped down as the skipper in World Cups of 2004, 2006 and 2008 while also being their 1-1 draw at Wolves on Monday. Wood ended that goalless run in eighth minute had been due to be held in Australia October last year, is one among the six players a part of the senior side. Burnley had failed to win any of their first when he fired home from Jay Rodriguez’s flick in October. That enforced break had nominated in the category. He is placed alongside He took over the senior side in 2009 when he seven games in the joint worst start to a season after poor clearance from Cheikhou Kouyate. helped him recharge and take a Scottish players Kyle Coetzer, Callum Macleod was 22 years old, replacing Binod Das. In in the club’s history. Sean Dyche’s side were the At Molineux, Southampton were on course for fresh look at his goals, he said. and Richie Berrington and Papua New Guinea’s September 2019, he became the first Nepali crick- only Premier League team yet to score a home a fourth successive win when Theo Walcott put “You’ve got to have short-term Asad Vala and the Netherland’s Peter Borren. eter to score a Twenty20 International (T20I) cen- goal this term until New Zealand striker Wood them ahead in the second half. But Pedro Neto goals and long-term goals and the According to the ICC, the winner of the catego- tury (106 not out) as Nepal defeated hosts put them ahead in the first half against Palace. came off the bench to equalise as fifth-placed one-day World Cup is definitely ry will be decided through voting on the ICC’s Singapore in the tri-series alongside Zimbabwe. That was enough to clinch a much-needed three Southampton had to settle for extending their on the radar,” Taylor said. “It website. However, the date for the award is yet to This was also a world record, as he became the points for Burnley, who climbed out of the rele- unbeaten run to seven matches. doesn’t mean I will make it, but be announced. Besides Associate Player of the first captain ever to score a century while chasing gation zone at the expense of Fulham. Southampton took the lead in the 58th minute, it’s definitely one of my goals.” decade, the international cricket governing body in a T20I. In addition to the T20 century, “We created two or three golden chances, we with a touch of controversy about the goal. But with the tournament being has also announced nominees for various nine Khadka also became the first Nepali player to hit take one and it gets a bit nervy because we Wolves equalised in the 75th minute as Raul pushed back until later in 2023, other categories. an ODI hundred when he slammed 115 runs hadn’t found that first win. To get that one done Jimenez’s fierce drive bounced back off the post Taylor acknowledged it might The 32-year-old all-rounder played an influen- against the United Arab Emirates in January will do us the world of good,” Dyche said. to Neto and the substitute drove his first-time be out of reach. (AGENCIES) tial role in Nepal’s elevation from Division 5 in last year. Palace were missing Ivory Coast forward strike past Alex McCarthy. HOROSCOPE ARIES (March 21-April 19) **** CANCER (June 22-July 22) *** LIBRA (September 23-October 22) *** CAPRICORN (December 22-January 19) **** You can’t be the leader all the time, and it’s impor- Listen with your ears wide open today because some- A wave of generosity hits you today, and you’ll be All the self-discipline you’ve imposed on yourself tant for you to learn to hand control over to someone thing someone says could be very useful to you. It both giver and receiver. You’re going to want to share could start to pay off. There’s an impressive finish else when the situation requires it. Today, make sure could provide you with an opening to start a conver- all the affection and love you can give, but you’ll also line looming, and you’ll most likely cross it! Get that you know when to toss in your ideas and when sation with someone you’ve been dying to get to be ready to get the gifts you’ve worked so hard to ready for some impressive people to come out of the to bite your tongue. know better. earn. woodwork to offer congratulations.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) *** LEO (July 23-August 22) *** SCORPIO (October 23-November 21) *** AQUARIUS (January 20-February 18) *** Avoid anything that even remotely looks like a power Scheduling conflicts may seem insurmountable You need some excitement in your life, so get Being daring always gives you a rush, so why struggle today. There are some big egos in the fight, today, but they aren’t. Take a break early in the day involved in a fun debate. Or eavesdrop on a titillating not kick things up a notch today? Invigorate yourself ! and some of them like to play dirty. If you get and wait for things to free up. A compromise might conversation. It’s never a bad idea to mix things up You need to push more. Push your newest involved in any of the mudslinging, you’ll get cov- be warranted, so be prepared to give a little bit more in your life, but today you should feel free to toss in a personal relationship by asking more probing ques- ered in dirt yourself. than everyone else. little conflict. tions.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21) **** VIRGO (August 23-September 22) **** SAGITTARIUS (November 22-December 21) *** PISCES (February 19-March 20) *** Why don’t you focus on understanding your own Do you have blinders on when it comes to a You are developing a significant appreciation for the You might find yourself thinking about doing things emotions and forget about trying to figure out why certain person? Making them who you want subtle connections people can make when two that you never would have dreamed of a few years someone else is acting? You need to take a new point them to be in your head is a good way to retain strangers make an instant connection. A seemingly ago! It looks like your healthy ambitions are getting of view regarding a difficult friend. If they are pout- positive feelings about them, but are you fooling innocent conversation will plant an idea in your even healthier, and this is a very positive develop- ing or moody, just leave them be. yourself ? head that you’ll be tossing around for days. ment for you and your family. CROSSWORD SUDOKU

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION

C M Y K WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2020 | 08 CULTURE & LIFESTYLE (C.R.P.D.) - 3/052/053 Keeping Bohra Muslim culinary traditions alive—one meal at a time Tasneem Shahani of Tasneem’s Kings Kitchen loves that people come back for her biryanis. But she hopes customers leave with not just a satisfied tummy but with knowing a bit about her rich culinary heritage, from which her dishes are inspired.

ANKIT KHADGI stuffed, she says. KATHMANDU “We also have a strict no-wastage policy when it comes to our food,” says Shahani. “That’s why the next meal is only or as long as she can remember, food has played served after the previous meal is consumed by the people.” an integral role in Tasneem Shahani’s life. And all of these traditions, and most importantly her love Brought up in Mumbai in a Dawoodi Bohra for food, has been passed onto her through her culture and Muslim community, her childhood was spent that has also shaped her culinary skills, she believes. sharing at least one meal with her family mem- “Bohra Muslims are fun-loving and soft people. Likewise, bers, on a single large plate, she says. their knack and love for cooking make them big foodies. F“In happiness or sadness, in fervour or grief, we [Bohra Whatever I make is with love and passion using the ingredi- Muslims] live for food. Our food culture, even exchanging ents that were passed onto me by my ancestors,” says meals regularly with our neighbours and families, has Shahani. helped in building our close-knit community,” says Shahani, When one visits Shahani’s restaurant, her love for her aged 45. hometown is visible. There are posters of old Bollywood However, when she shifted to Kathmandu after her mar- classics put up on the walls, along with colourful lamps, and riage in 1997, she had to move away from her hometown, and a witty filmy menu, all of which reflects how dear her home- the company of her family members and friends, who would town is for her. Likewise, Shahani says she is so particular have always made time to sit together and eat in each oth- about her recipes that she imports species from her home- er’s company. town, and even comes up with new ones whenever she has But even though she was away from her hometown and extra time at hand. couldn’t always eat the food she was brought up eating, in In its six years of establishment, Tasneem’s Kings her Kathmandu’s house kitchen, she made sure that she Kitchen has seen it all. From the 2015 earthquake that was cooking her ancestral foods preserving her culinary destroyed the nearby fire brigade, traumatising the staff, to heritage. the economic blockade to the current pandemic. It has seen “In my friends circle, I was the one fond of cooking meals PHOTOS COURTESY: TASNEEM’S KINGS KITCHEN good reviews and unpleasant critiques. However, regardless for our get-togethers and my friends loved the food that I In her 70-seater restaurant, located in an old, refurbished Newa style building in Pulchowk, Shahani serves delectable dishes that take hours to of the hurdles, Shahani and the team’s spirit in serving prepared. One day, out of the blue, my friends and family prepare and are all inspired from her culture. customers an authentic Bohra experience hasn’t taken a members suggested that I should start a catering business backseat, she says. since I was really good at cooking,” says Shahani. ence,” says Shahani. Unlike other cuisines, dessert is served The meals can be heavy, as they are infused with strong “Running a restaurant is a 24/7 job. It’s crazy,” says This suggestion awakened her Bohra soul (since Bohra in the beginning rather than the end, which is followed by spices and mainly consist of non-vegetarian meals, and Shahani. “But the sheer joy and happiness of cooking and Muslim communities are known for their knack for busi- ‘kharaas’, savoury items, and then the main course, consist- thus the dishes are cooked bite-size in the Bohra thaal so my passion for food motivates me to continue and overcome ness), and in 2004, Shahani opened a small-scale business of ing of rice, biryanis, rotis and curries, is served. everyone has the chance to enjoy all the flavours and not feel all of the difficulties and serve people some good food.” catering from her house, through which she started cooking for customers. “In the beginning, I had only five items on the menu. Then when the business started getting steady, I started selling ten items, with the numbers gradually peaking up to 80 items in the coming years due to word of mouth,” says Shahani. But it was only in 2014, along with her childhood friend, Abbas Nalwala, from the King’s Kitchen of Mumbai, that her catering venture transitioned into a full-fledged restau- rant, Tasneem’s Kings Kitchen. Now in her 70-seater restaurant, located in an old, refur- bished Newa style building in Pulchowk, Shahani serves delightful dishes—delectable biryanis, kebabs, butter chick- en, gajar ka halwa and tikkas—which take hours for prepa- ration and are all inspired from her culture. “I was sure that my restaurant wouldn’t serve the usual ‘Indian food’ and definitely not items like momo, chowmein and pizza, even though most Nepalis look for them in the menu, as I intended to create a space where people could devour the flavours of my ancestral culinary heritage,” says Shahani, who currently also has a YouTube channel, where she shares her recipes. However, the decision to run an all Indian restaurant specialising in Mughlai and Bohra cuisine has brought with it many challenges, she says. “A lot of Nepali people think that all Indian dishes are spicy and oily,” says Shahani. “And that perspective affected business initially. However, that is a misconception and

Taseena Shahani

‘I intended to create a space where people could devour the flavours of my ancestral culinary heritage,’ says Shahani.

after people started being more acquainted with the knowl- edge of Indian food, there was an increase in the flow of the visitors.” Tasneem’s Kings Kitchen has an array of Indian and Mughlai food that takes hours to prepare. And they are cooked with precision and love, says Shahani. While her attempt is always to serve the original and authentic taste of Bohra cuisine, slight alterations have been made to her traditional recipes, to suit the Nepali taste buds, she says. For instance, the signature dish of the restaurant, mutton nihari, a slow-cooked, smooth stew, is cooked with less amount of oil here than the usual recipe, she says. “In Bombay, it is said that if your hands don’t have oil when you soak it in the nihari, it isn’t good enough. However here, the scenario isn’t the same. That’s why we have made a few changes in our recipe,” says Shahani. But her meals do come at a price. For instance, the price of chicken dum biryani is Rs 525 and kebabs cost around Rs 500, which is expensive for middle-class Nepalis. To justify the prices, Shahani says that the prices are fixed as per the cost of the ingredients and for the hours that are put into making the dishes. But to ensure her dishes can be more affordable, she also provides takeaway and package meals at a nominal cost, says Shahani. Despite the prices, people flock to her restaurant. With some coming solely to try the Bohra Thali, a feast that pro- vides people the experience of eating the same way Bohra Muslims do in their homes. “We serve the same dishes that they eat in each other’s company in a single plate,” says Shahani. In a large round thaal (plate), after everyone takes their seat, a chelamchi lota (a water pot) is brought, in which the hands of those who are going to eat the meal are cleaned. According to Shahani, one of the most important table eti- quettes of eating Bohra cuisine is that once people sit together around the thaal, which accommodates up to 8 people, no one should stand up. And before any food is consumed, a pinch of salt is put inside the mouth by the partakers, a tradition which, according to Shahani, is followed because it is believed that salt cleans the pores of the tongue thus cleansing the palate, helping the people to get a rich taste of the food. “Most foods and traditions of Bohra cuisine are cooked and consumed in a manner that is mostly backed by sci-

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