President Bhandari Faces More Questions for Failing to Abide by Her

WITHOUT F EAR OR FAVOUR

Nepal’s largest selling English daily Vol XXIX No. 94 | 8 pages | Rs.5 O O Printed simultaneously in Kathmandu, Biratnagar, Bharatpur and Nepalgunj 35.6 C 7.6 C Sunday, May 23, 2021 | 09-02-2078 Nepalgunj Jumla President Bhandari faces more questions for failing to abide by her duty The head of state comes under scrutiny for being Oli’s accomplice in undermining the constitution that she is supposed to protect.

BINOD GHIMIRE KATHMANDU, MAY 22

“There shall be a President of Nepal.” “The main duty of the President shall be to abide by and protect this constitution.” That’s what Articles 61 (1) and Article 61 (4) of the Constitution of Nepal, 2015, state. That Bidya Devi Bhandari is the President of Nepal suffices Article 61 (1). But what about Article 61 (4)? Constitutional experts and political analysts say Bhandari as the President has not only failed to uphold Article 61 (4) but also disgraced the high office POST FILE PHOTO by her actions, by being complicit Bidya Devi Bhandari with the executive in its every uncon- stitutional move and by not playing form a new government. In doing so, POST PHOTO: BEEJU MAHARJAN the role expected of her to protect the she, however, also said the claim made A woman waters flowers at a nursery at Kumari Club in the Capital. This is the peak season for sale of flowering plants but the pandemic restrictions have severely hit the floriculture business. constitution. by Oli also was insufficient. On Friday, past midnight, Bhandari Experts say the question that dissolved the House of Representatives, Bhandari should have asked is if the for a second time in five months, at the signatures of 149 lawmakers provided behest of Prime Minister KP Sharma by Deuba to stake claim to the govern- INSIDE Oli whose utter disregard for the con- ment were authentic, as Oli was auto- Elections in the time of a raging stitution has been on display on many matically not qualified to lay claim, as occasions in the past. he is already a prime minister and no But before dissolving the House, constitutional provision allows an Gap between AstraZeneca President Bhandari dismissed the incumbent prime minister to seek to doses may be widened amid claim made by Sher Bahadur Deuba, become prime minister. vaccine supply uncertainty pandemic, a recipe for disaster the Nepali Congress president, to >> Continued on page 2 KATHMANDU: With no signs of addi- tional doses of Covishield, the In India campaigning for assembly polls in states in April AstraZeneca type vaccine manufac- tured by the Serum Institute, arriving contributed to a deadly second wave. In Nepal elections anytime soon, there is uncertainty when the over 1.3 million people are scheduled during a potential third wave, experts say. above 65 would be able to take their second shots. They had taken their first doses between March 7 and March 15, and as per the govern- ment’s own schedule, they should have been administered the booster doses from May 16. Now with no vac- cine at hand, the government is dis- cussing increasing the gap between the first and second doses of the vac- cine to 12-16 weeks. As per the gov- ernment’s earlier plan, the two doses were to be administered between 8 and 12 weeks. “We are holding discus- sion at the National Immunization Advisory Committee about widening the gap between the two doses,” said Dr Janak Sharma Gautam, chief of National Immunization Programme at the Health Ministry. (Details on Pg 3) POST FILE PHOTO Imported potatoes appear in Election rallies in which thousands of people gather make an ideal condition for virus spread. highlands as production falls ARJUN POUDEL only if rulers want massacres like in KATHMANDU, MAY 22 TAPLEJUNG: Tenzing Walung of some Indian states.” Olangchung Gola village had to buy Given the current second wave potatoes from Phungling, the district Nepal is witnessing the second wave which has shown no signs of abating, headquarters of Taplejung district, of the pandemic from last month and experts have warned of a third wave, long known as a heartland of potato every day new cases stand at more and elections could just spell a disas- growing, due to a shortage this year. than 8,000, death toll at more than 100, ter. Doctors say while Nepal should The mountain district in eastern and most alarmingly, the positivity have learned from past mistakes of its Nepal which borders Tibet in the rate is hovering over 40 percent, the own and those by other countries, like north, suffered a winter drought highest in the world. India, politicians in power have which decreased yield. Farmers said Yet another alarming aspect of pushed the country towards elections, that soil health was another problem Nepal’s second wave is cases having which mean crowds and campaigning. they had been facing for a few years. been rising in the rural parts of the In neighbouring India, various Potatoes are cultivated here on a com- country where healthcare facilities reports suggest that elections were to mercial level, but production has are next to non-existent. blame for the sudden surge in corona- been falling short of demand. Walung But amid the peak of the second virus cases. was surprised to find out that the wave of the pandemic, the KP Sharma On February 26, the day the India’s potatoes he had bought were grown Oli government has dissolved the Election Commission announced in India’s Bihar state, which lies at an House of Representatives and declared assembly polls in a number of Indian elevation of 52 metres above sea level, elections in November. states, the number of coronavirus and transported all the way to “This is a callous and unforgivable cases reported in West Bengal was 216. 3,000-metre-high Taplejung in the mistake of this government,” Dr Tulsi On April 27 when electioneering was Ram Bhandari, a public health expert over in the state, the number of cases Himalayan mountains. (Details on Pg 5) at Pokhara University, told the Post. recorded was 16,403–a 75 times jump. “Who can imagine the election in the During an election rally in the state Vaccine makers pledge 2.3b midst of a pandemic, when people are on April 17, when the second wave in dying without getting care and the country was already underway, doses to poorer nations deprived of testing. Instead of build- Modi praised the large crowds and ROME: A global health summit that ing capacity of health facilities and said, “I see huge crowds of people... underlined the growing disparity providing relief for people, the gov- have witnessed such a rally for the between rich and poor countries dur- ernment has invited confrontations.” first time... Today, you have shown ing the pandemic closed Friday with Elections are not possible in the your power.” pledges by pharmaceutical companies current situation and will only invite In the numerous rallies, huge to deliver more than 1.3 billion doses disaster, observers say. crowds flouted social distancing meas- of Covid-19 vaccines to low- and mid- “There is no possibility of holding ures and use of face masks and conse- dle-income countries this year. Italian polls at all costs,” CK Lal, a political quently, new cases peaked up sharply Premier Mario Draghi, host of the analyst, told the Post. “It is possible in March in India and reached record Rome summit that brought together high this month, according to the Group of 20 and the European the BBC. In the Indian state of Union’s executive arm, called the con- Uttar Pradesh, where local level tributions by private companies “sig- elections were held in April, at nificant and staggering.” The pledges least 1,621 teachers and support made include 1 billion doses from staff deployed in the polls duty American pharmaceutical company died from Covid-19 infections. Pfizer and German company While the number of daily BioNTech’s, 200 million from Johnson cases peaked at about 10,000 and & Johnson and 100 million from the death toll at 1,000 in the Moderna. They will be provided at first wave, during the second cost for low-income countries and wave this figure rose to 400,000 at a low profit for middle-income and 4,000. countries. (Details on Pg 6) >> Continued on page 2

C M Y K SUNDAY, MAY 23, 2021 | 02 NATIONAL Local units in Rukum (West) Elections in the time of a raging ... >> CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Maharjan. Ignoring the warning starting from Sunday,” Dinesh Nepal on Saturday reported 8,591 new of experts led to the ongoing surge in Thapaliya, the chief election commis- infections and 129 deaths from Covid- the country, as despite knowing that sioner told the Post. “The commission ramp up efforts to fight Covid-19 19 complications. The total number of after the explosion of new cases in cannot say the elections cannot be cases stands at 505,643 of which 115,806 India, cases would surge in held as it is the constitutional body are active. The death toll has reached Nepal, authorities in Nepal neither responsible for holding elections.” Over 200 beds and 200 oxygen cylinders have been added to treat coronavirus patients. 6,153. The positivity rate on Saturday regulated the border points nor set up But doubts have been cast over was more than 44 percent. holding and quarantine centres and whether elections will actually be held. HARI GAUTAM were available at the District Hospital, medical supplies have been brought to Almost all the country has been in ensured testing facilities. They In a statement issued Saturday, three RUKUM (WEST), MAY 22 Chaurjahari Hospital and Aathbiskot the district, health workers say. lockdown for weeks and that has been instead let people go home directly political parties--the Nepali Congress, Hospital only. According to the data of Meanwhile, Chaurjahari the only government strategy to break and did not even bother to regulate Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Local units in Rukum (West) have the District Health Service Office in Municipality is preparing to set up an the chain of transmission. With no movement of those returnees, which Centre), Rastriya Janamorcha Nepal-- added over 200 beds and 200 oxygen Rukum (West), Chaurjahari Hospital oxygen plant at its Covid-19 hospital. contact tracing and insufficient test- triggered the spread of infection in and factions of Oli’s CPN-UML and cylinders at various health facilities had 18 isolation beds, Aathbiskot “We have already ordered the neces- ing, experts say that the number of the community. Janata Samajbadi Party said, “The for the treatment of Covid-19 patients Hospital had 15 beds and the District sary equipment for the plant. Works tests could be much higher than it is “From day one, this government general elections, announced with the in the district. Hospital had only eight such beds. on the oxygen plant will start in being reported. was not serious towards the public’s ill-intention of not holding elections Ishwor Rawal, the corona focal per- But in the past month, various local Chaurjahari Hospital in a few days,” On the other hand, barely around health and controlling the pandemic and prolonging his (Oli’s) autocratic son of the District Health Office in units in Rukum (West) have ramped said Bishal Sharma, mayor of the two percent of the total population was not in its priority,” said Dr Kedar regime has pushed the lives of the peo- Rukum (West), said the District up their efforts to fight the pandemic. municipality. has got two doses of the vaccine and Narsing KC, former president of ple facing a deadly pandemic towards Hospital has added 59 isolation beds in Chaurjahari Municipality has Raj Kumar Sharma, chief at the around 4.5 percent one dose with no Nepal Medical Association. “This is an even more serious crisis.” the last month alone. set up 45 isolation beds and Sanibheri District Coordination Committee, said certainty when they will get the sec- criminal negligence and a crime Observers blame the poll announce- “The hospital took initiatives to add Rural Municipality 22 beds in the the local units in the district are mak- ond dose. Public health experts have against the public.” ment on the prime minister’s disre- more isolation beds after all eight beds last month. ing all necessary preparations to con- warned that a third wave will be inev- Health facilities have been over- gard for anything other than power. at the facility got fully occupied. The Similarly, Tribeni Rural trol the spread of the virus and pro- itable in the country and with the whelmed with shortages of beds, oxy- “The Prime Minister has been hospital has not turned away any Municipality has been operating a vide treatment to Covid-19 patients. virus constantly mutating, new vari- gen and even medicine, leading Oli to behaving as if he is saying ‘I am the Covid-19 patient until now,” said 20-bed isolation facility in the rural “We still have problems in oxygen ants could be more transmissible. cry out for help. state.’ By capturing all state machin- Rawal, adding that up to 50 Covid-19 municipal hospital and Banfikot Rural management and supply. If we could More transmissible and possibly “At present, our condition of infec- ery, he has pushed the country into the patients were admitted at the hospital Municipality has added 15 isolation solve this problem, we could save more fatal B.1.167.2 and B1.167.1 vari- tion is far worse than in India,” Dr dark black hole,” former chief elec- a few days ago. beds in Chhinkhet and Syarpu. more lives,” said Sharma. ants, first reported in India in October Jagdish Prasad Agrawal, former dean tion commissioner Bhoj Raj Pokhrel According to the hospital adminis- “We managed to set up a Covid-19 According to the data of the District last year, have been found responsible at the Institute of Medicine, told the told the Post. “When this type of lead- tration, the flow of Covid-19 patients isolation ward within 15 days. This Health Service Office, 19 Covid-19 for the second wave in the country, Post. “People who are not supposed to er takes the reins of the country, peo- to the hospital has decreased in the was made possible because of the patients have died and 1,107 individu- according to the government. die of infections are dying these days ple have to suffer.” last few days. “However, we have been preparations we made in the past,” als have tested positive for the corona- A new wave could start after due to failure to provide care.” Public health experts say that the making further preparations keeping said Gorkha Bahadur KC, mayor of virus in Rukum (West) since mid- September and with the festive And elections will bring about a announcement of elections is beyond in view a possible surge in Covid-19 Aathbiskot Municipality. April. There are still 560 active cases season then and electioneering in full disaster with people attending rallies comprehension. cases in the coming days,” said Rawal. Since then, 205 oxygen cylinders in the district, the record of the swing, if polls are held on the stipulat- and political parties bussing in people “How can anyone think of elections Until a month ago, isolation wards and 31 concentrators along with other District Health Service Office showed. ed dates, the combination could be to them to ‘show’ the strength of sup- at this point of time, as the second catastrophic. port as the government did when Oli wave is in the peak and people are “Viruses become more active when was in election mode after he dis- dying,” Dr Biraj Karmacharya, an epi- seasons change in the beginning of solved the House of Representatives demiologist who is also the chief of winter or in the onset of summer,” Dr on December 20. Department of Community pro- Keshav Deuba, a public health epide- “When political events, rallies and gramme at the Dhulikhel Hospital, told miologist, told the Post. “As new vari- crowds are allowed, the situation will the Post. “Giving up all the other work, ants of the coronavirus are emerging be more devastating compared to the we health workers have been focussed constantly, the more deadly variants second wave,” said an official of the on saving lives. Isn’t it the responsibili- are becoming dominant and taking a Health Ministry on condition of ano- ty of the government to give priority to bigger toll, and we do not have suffi- nymity. “And when the priority is the lives of the people.” cient vaccine coverage. Elections and shifted to other things, what would be But authorities insist that elections festive season could invite another the situation we can only guess.” can happen as elsewhere. disaster.” On Saturday, the prime minister “Elections are taking place across From the political perspective, too, met officials of the Election the world amidst the pandemic, elections will only fuel the spread of Commission to discuss preparations including in India,” said Thapaliya. the virus. “We all know our political for the November polls. “On the part of the government, it campaigns are traditional and such “We expressed our commitment should ensure more resources and things would certainly spread the that the Election Commission was coordinate to get international assis- virus,” said political analyst Rajendra ready to start preparation for the polls tance for holding the polls.” President Bhandari faces more ...

>> CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 pointed prime minister on May 13 under Article 76 (3) after “What Oli says has become the constitution now,” Lok opposition parties failed to form a new government under Raj Baral, a former professor of political science at Article 76 (2). Tribhuvan University, told the Post. “Oli does not have a Ever since the House was elected in 2017, all articles relat- scintilla of respect for the constitution. But despite ed to government formation have been exhausted, and the Bhandari, being the protector of the constitution, she has last provision was Article 76 (5). been complicit with Oli.” In a parliamentary system, it’s the House that elects When Nepal transitioned into a federal republic after the prime minister–or provides the platform to form a overthrowing the centuries-old monarchy, the constitution government. envisioned a “constitutional” President– with no executive But, according to experts, the President has robbed the powers–so as to safeguard the constitution, maintain Parliament of its prerogative by functioning as the judge, national unity and work as the guardian of the people. jury and executioner, without letting the people’s elected But nowhere in the constitution does it say the Head of representatives decide whether they want to elect a new State cannot use his or her conscience to differentiate prime minister and form a new government. between the right and the wrong, say experts. Hours before the notice on House dissolution, the Office That Oli had demanded that Article 76 (5) be invoked was of the President at 11:38pm on Friday said that the claims wrong, prima facie, according to the experts, as for the invo- made both by Oli and Deuba were insufficient. cation of the article, the prime minister, elected under Experts say if the claims were insufficient, the President Article 76 (3) either has to fail a trust vote or has to resign. should have given more time to come up with fresh claims, But President Bhandari complied with Oli. Oli’s claim, as until a new prime minister is appointed, Article 76 (5) is despite being a prime minister, that he should be appointed not fulfilled. prime minister again was simply ludicrous, but then she “Under Article 76 (5), every individual lawmaker is eligi- complied with him again, experts say. ble to make a claim to form a new government. If Bhandari Dinesh Tripathi, a senior had any doubts over the signatures presented by the opposi- advocate who specialises on tion alliance, she should have taken initiatives to verify constitutional law, said what them,” said Chandra Kant Gyawali, a senior advocate with happened on Friday night specialisation on constitutional law. “She does not have the was the result of Oli’s well- constitutional authority to reject the claim. She should have planned conspiracy. asked to make a fresh claim.” “Oli wanted to dissolve As the protector of the constitution, according to experts, the House by violating the the President should abide by the constitution, not make constitution and Bhandari conjectures. played the role of his side- The statement from the Office of the President said that kick, not the role the consti- both claims by Oli and Deuba were insufficient also because tution wants her to play,” the CPN-UML, Oli’s party, said that 26 of its lawmakers, who said Tripathi. supported Deuba, could be relieved of their membership of According to Tripathi, the House of Representatives. Friday’s House dissolution, But if they were to be relieved, it was the House that a decision from the Office of should have exercised that, not Bhandari, experts say. the President came at According to them, Bhandari’s decision was flawed for 1:49am, also contradicts the three reasons: First, she cannot take decisions based on Supreme Court’s February presumptions, second, it’s none of her business to enter into 23 verdict. party disputes which are decided either by the Election In the verdict overturning Commission or the Parliament Secretariat and lastly, the Oli and Bhandari’s party’s whip is not applicable when a government forma- December 20 decision to dis- tion is claimed under Article 76 (5). solve the House, the Gyawali said the party whip would have been applicable Constitutional Bench said when, say, Deuba was appointed prime minister, and he the House can be dissolved went for a trust vote. only after going through the Anyone appointed prime minister under Article 76 (5) government formation pro- must secure the vote of confidence in the House within 30 cess following Articles 76 (1), days from his/ her appointment as per Article 76 (6). 76 (2), 76 (3) and 76 (5). The UML, if it felt that its lawmakers had supported the But Bhandari, on the rec- opposition alliance, could have issued a whip not to vote in ommendation of Oli, dis- favour of the motion when a vote of confidence was sought. solved the House without If a party deems action necessary against its lawmaker(s) letting Article 76 (5) come for defying the party whip, it can do so as per Political fully into play. Parties Act-2017 and even sack them as lawmakers. After the 2017 elections, “But until the position of lawmakers is intact, the when Oli became prime min- President must count their signatures as legit,” said ister in February 2018 under Gyawali. “Just because Oli reported that his party UML Article 76 (2) with the back- could initiate action, the President cannot reject the claim ing of the Communist Party of the opposition alliance altogether.” of Nepal (Maoist Centre), as Bhandari’s role as the President has been questioned in his UML party, which won the past also. Despite facing criticism, she, however, has not 121 seats, lacked the majori- made any moves to mend her ways, and has continued to be ty to form a government on an accomplice of Oli in all his actions. its own. But after the merger As Bhandari received censure from various sections of between the UML and the society, Oli on Friday afternoon, hours before he made her a Maoist Centre to form the partner in his unconstitutional move, said that disrespect Nepal Communist Party for the President is disrespect for the republican system. (NCP), he commanded the “In a monarchy, there is a king, in a republic system, majority. Hence, he became there is a President,” said Oli during a press conference. prime minister under “The President is the symbol of republicanism and an Article 76 (1). attack on the dignity of the Office of the President is an But the Supreme Court on attack on the republic system.” March 7 scrapped the Nepal Oli did not name names but he was referring to growing Communist Party (NCP) and criticism thrown at the President. revived UML and the Maoist Experts say it’s an irony that Oli was asking others not to Centre. Two months later, attack the President but he is the one who has continuously Oli on May 2 said he would used and abused the high office for his political gains. seek a trust vote in the “The Office of the President has become a puppet House. He failed the confi- of the executive,” said Baral, the political science dence motion in the House professor. “Bhandari and Oli have not just subverted the on May 10. constitution but also have brought disgrace on the constitu- However, he was reap- tional institutions.”

C M Y K 03 | SUNDAY, MAY 23, 2021 NATIONAL Thakur-Mahato faction of Janata Samajbadi to join government An observer of Madhes politics says the party will split if the faction joins the Oli Cabinet amid polarisation.

ANIL GIRI KATHMANDU, MAY 22

The Mahantha Thakur-Rajendra Mahato faction of the Janata Samajbadi Party is in talks with Prime Minister and CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli to join the government. The development comes just a day after the faction pledged its support to Prime Minister Oli’s bid to form a new government under Article 76(5) of the constitution. POST PHOTO: PRAKASH CHANDRA TIMILSENA Leaders of the two parties have held POST FILE PHOTO Children play on an empty road at Indradaha, Kathmandu on Saturday as vehicles are garaged and schools closed in a bid to contain the coronavirus spread. a series of meetings over the past few Mahantha Thakur days and their discussions are said to be focussed on power-sharing. But the Janata Samajbadi faction wants some of its key demands includ- ing those related to citizenship and release of its jailed comrades Gap between AstraZeneca doses may be addressed before it joins the govern- ment, leaders of both the parties told the Post on Saturday. The party has long been demanding an amendment to the constitution. widened amid vaccine supply uncertainty “We have some long-standing demands and once we reach an agree- ment on addressing them, we will India on May 13 increased the gap to 12-16 weeks citing vaccine shortage. ‘Real-world data from the UK’ reportedly join the government,” Sharat Singh Bhandari, a senior leader of the POST FILE PHOTO showed the AstraZeneca vaccine is 65-88 percent effective if the interval is three months or more. Janata Samajbadi Party, told the Post. Rajendra Mahato He confirmed that both Thakur and PRITHVI MAN SHRESTHA currently has just 90,000 doses of to accept the risk of an extended dos- might be able to acquire doses Mahato held a long meeting with Oli the government on its demands before KATHMANDU, MAY 22 Covishield. ing interval in order to more rapidly for them. on Saturday. the party participates in the govern- COVAX, an international scheme provide protection to a greater propor- The government is working to Prime Minister Oli is reportedly ment. With no signs of additional doses of led by the United Nations to share tion of the population. secure additional doses of the vaccine prepared to give eight to ten ministeri- “Prime Minister Oli has already Covishield, the AstraZeneca type vac- vaccines to poor countries, had sup- Officials in Nepal are well aware of as early as possible, said officials at al portfolios to the Janata Samajbadi. offered a power-sharing deal to us but cine manufactured by the Serum plied 348,000 doses of Covishield. But the need for a second dose. the health and foreign ministries. But sources said the Janata Samajbadi we will wait two-three days for the Institute, arriving anytime soon, there the Covid-19 crisis in India has hit “We know that the first dose gives Officials say they are hoping to get is also demanding two deputy prime presidential authentication of the is uncertainty when the over 1.3 mil- COVAX as well, thereby affecting the protection for three months and some doses from the United States as ministerial positions—one for Mahato ordinance on citizenship,” the leader lion people above 65 would be able to vaccine supply to Nepal under the nobody knows whether it gives protec- well, which on May 17 announced that and the other for Bhandari. said. The sharing of the ministerial take their second shots. facility. tion beyond that period. Even if it it would share 80 million doses includ- After President Bidya Devi portfolios will be finalised once the They had taken their first doses A new UK government research does not give full protection beyond ing 60 million doses of the AstraZeneca Bhandari dissolved the House of ordinance is authenticated, the JSP between March 7 and March 15, and as suggests two doses of the Covid-19 three months, we can safely say that type to help countries battling the Representatives and announced leader said. per the government’s own schedule, vaccine are essential to provide strong immunity will not be zero after three pandemic, by the end of June 2021. November elections late on Friday Surendra Jha, a leader close to they should have been administered protection against symptomatic infec- months,” said Shyam Raj Upreti, coor- “This equates to all of its manufac- night on the recommendation of the Thakur, said some cases against their the booster doses from May 16. tion from the coronavirus variant first dinator of the Covid-19 Vaccine tured 60 million AstraZeneca vaccine Oli Cabinet, the head of state has not leaders and cadres are in the process Now with no vaccine at hand, the identified in India, according to a Advisory Committee at the Health doses as soon as they are reviewed by clarified the prime minister’s status. of withdrawal, so they are waiting to government is discussing increasing report published in the Financial Ministry. “If the protection weakens the Federal Drug Administration, as It is not yet clear if the Oli govern- see the process completed before join- the gap between the first and second Times. after three months, people who had well as at least another 20 million ment has become the caretaker and if ing the government. doses of the vaccine to 12-16 weeks. Two vaccine doses provided 81 per- taken the first dose may be vulnerable doses of vaccines that are authorised such a prime minister can appoint “Oli also has affairs to manage in As per the government’s earlier cent protection against the B.1.617.2 after three months until second doses for use in the United States,” the US new ministers. his own party after the Supreme Court plan, the two doses were to be admin- State Department said in a press state- Oli’s first attempt at House dissolu- dismissed his seven ministers. Once istered between 8 and 12 weeks. ment. “We will continue to donate tion in December last year was over- he resolves these issues, we will join “We are holding discussion at the from our excess supply as that supply turned by the Supreme Court. After the government,” sid Bhandari. National Immunization Advisory is delivered to us.” some ministers resigned in protest of On May 19, Janata Samajbadi chair- Committee about widening the gap If Nepal manages to receive vac- Oli’s unconstitutional move, he men duo Thakur and Upendra Yadav between the two doses,” said Dr Janak cines from the US, it would be a great appointed new ministers in place of had issued a joint statement declaring Sharma Gautam, chief of National boost for the country’s vaccination them. Questions were raised then that the party would remain neutral Immunization Programme at the drive, say officials, but the immediate about the constitutionality of the in the government formation bids by Health Ministry. “No decision has need is Covishield to administer the appointments as the government other parties, but would participate in been taken yet though.” second shots to those who have taken could only perform day-to-day admin- a national consensus government or According to him, the committee their first jabs. istration and facilitate the Election if the situation demanded it would will make necessary recommenda- “If Nepal fails to secure the vaccine Commission in holding the polls while take initiatives to form a government tions to the Health Ministry, which early, the government should try to be refraining from taking decisions hav- under its own leadership. will take a decision on the matter. among the early recipients of the US ing long-term implications. Two days after the statement, the Despite becoming one of the first vaccines,” said Upreti. “Even if the “The government has fulfilled some Thakur-Mahato faction, however, countries in the world to launch the gap is extended by one month, getting of our demands and taken positive committed in writing to Oli’s bid to vaccination drive on January 27, the US vaccines in late June also will steps to address others,” said form a new government. Thakur as a Nepal’s inoculation campaign has be a huge relief for Nepal because the Bhandari. “This has created a condu- chairman of the party submitted a come to a grinding halt now after the second dose gives full security. Our cive atmosphere for us to join the gov- letter to the President’s Office stating government failed to acquire vaccines POST FILE PHOTO only concern is if the people will be ernment.” that its 32 lawmakers support Oli. on time, largely due to red tape, indeci- variant first identified in India, and 87 are taken.” vulnerable if the gap between the two The Oli government on Thursday Meanwhile, Yadav, the party’s other sion, blame-game among officials and per cent against the B.1.1.7 strain first Many in India, however, have attrib- doses goes beyond three months.” decided to issue an ordinance to chairman, collected the signatures of domestic politics as well as geopolitics found in England, according to the uted the gap extension between the Foreign Minister Pradeep Kuymar address the party’s demands related to 12 lawmakers supporting Nepali Officials say India, where the vac- Public Health England data. two does to the current shortages of Gyawali told the Post that the govern- citizenship and agreed to form a Congress President Sher Bahadur cine is manufactured, too has recently The data showed that one dose vaccines. ment has been making an all-out effort five-member taskforce for the purpose Deuba’s bid to form a government. increased the gap between the two offered 33 percent protection against India is currently battling a devas- to secure vaccines from India so that of amending the constitution. The Differences between Thakur and doses of AstraZeneca vaccine to 12-16 symptomatic infection from B.1.617.2, tating second wave of the coronavi- those taking their first doses can be ordinance on citizenship will ensure Yadav have continued as Yadav on weeks, hence a decision in Nepal and 51 per cent against B.1.1.7 suggest- rus. Until a few days ago, the country inoculated within three months. citizenship by descent to those whose Saturday called a meeting of the par- along that line is likely very soon. ing vulnerability for only using a was reporting over 350,000 new infec- “We have been asking the Serum parents are bona fide citizens of ty’s executive committee. Arjun Thapa Initially, the gap between the two single dose. tions a day. Though the number of Institute through both the diplomatic Nepal. Similarly, those children whose of the Yadav faction claimed that 32 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine had The Indian government’s decision new daily cases has come down lately, channel and directly, to provide us at mothers are Nepali citizens but out of the 50 members of the executive been fixed at 4-8 weeks and it was later on May 13 to increase the gap between the World Health Organisation and least one million doses for which we fathers are not identified can get committee support Yadav. increased to 8-12 weeks. the two doses of AstraZeneca vaccine experts have warned against compla- have already paid for,” Gyawali told Nepali citizenship, as per the new An observer of Madhesi politics Accordingly, for those 438,000 people from 8-12 weeks to 12-16 weeks, accord- cency, saying case positivity rate was the Post on Saturday. “The company ordinance. says the Janata Samajbadi Party will who had taken the first shots between ing to the Mint newspaper, was based still high. has responded saying that they have Earlier, the Oli government with- split if the Thakur-Mahato faction January 27 and March 5 were adminis- on “real-world data from the United With the Indian government’s deci- not been able to deliver the vaccine drew cases against over 110 Janata joins the government. tered their booster doses from April 20 Kingdom which showed that the vac- sion in the third week of March to put due to an export ban imposed by the Samajbadi leaders and cadres. “The role of the party in the recent to April 24. However, according to gov- cine was 65-88 percent effective if the a halt to exports of the AstraZeneca [Indian] government.” Leaders from both the parties said political developments has eroded the ernment data, only 370,000 people took interval was three months or more.” vaccine, the Serum Institute halted Gyawali said the government has the government is working to address credibility of Thakur, who had a bet- their booster shots. The paper cited a study published in supplies of Covishield. Last week the also made requests to other compa- other demands like releasing Janata ter reputation compared to his coun- As the 1.3 million people’s time for the British Columbia Medical Journal, Serum said it could resume export of nies which produce the AstraZeneca Samajbadi lawmaker Resham terparts,” said Bijay Kant Karna, a second shots came, the government a peer-reviewed medical journal pub- the Covishield vaccine only by the end type vaccine. Chaudary from jail and making public professor of political science. could not acquire additional vaccines. lished by the British Medical of this year. “We have also requested the United the Lal Commission report on the gov- Karna thinks Janata Samajbadi The Serum Institute which had Association. If the gap between two doses is States and the United Kingdom to ernment suppression of the 2015 should avoid joining the government already received the payment for sup- According to the journal, although extended to 16 weeks, those over 1.3 share their surplus AstraZeneca vac- Madhes movement. for the sake of its image and party plying 2 million doses delivered just there is a lack of data to directly sup- million people would have to take cine with us,” said Gyawali, adding, But a Janata Sambadi central com- unity. “But the way some leaders are half the order and expressed its ina- port a 16-week gap compared to short- their booster shots of Covishield “So that we can at least fully inoculate mittee leader said Mahato is keen to bent on joining the government shows bility to provide the remaining doses. er intervals, in the current setting of between June 27 and July 5, and our elderly population that has join the government within days while it will not do good to both the party According to the Health Ministry, it vaccine scarcity, it appears reasonable officials say by then the government received the first dose.” Thakur wants concrete action from and Madhes politics,” said Karna. Private hospital bills give poor Covid-19 patients the shivers Hospitals are overcharging patients up to three times the rates fixed by the government. Yet no action has been taken.

SHUVAM DHUNGANA Chaudari’s daughter-in-law. inquired about its cost of Covid-19 To treat Chaudhari, the family bor- As of Saturday, the country’s total day for normal patients, Rs7,000 KATHMANDU, MAY 22 “After being treated at the general treatment, the hospital operator said rowed money from their relatives. infections have reached 505,643, of for moderately ailing patients ward with oxygen support for a week, they don’t have ICU beds or ventila- “We have run out of money now. which 115,806 are active cases. The and Rs15,000 for those needing On May 10, Shiva Narayan Chaudhari, doctors at the hospital advised arrang- tors and that they only ran an isola- Hopefully, we don’t have to pay much total death toll stands at 6,153. intensive care. 65, tested positive for Covid-19. ing an ICU bed as his condition had tion ward. fees here at the government hospital,” With beds at public hospitals occu- Though the ministry had expressed Chaudhari, who has been living in a not improved,” Thakuri told the Post. “We have isolation beds, which cost Thakuri said. pied, the seriously ill have no option its commitment to take action rented room with his family at Thakuri and his family started Rs10,500 per day, excluding the oxygen Chaudhari’s story is not an outlier. but to go to pricey private hospitals. against hospitals that overcharge Nayabazar, Kathmandu, stayed in searching for another hospital. After charge,” said a hospital worker with- With the number of coronavirus cases On May 2, Kathmandu Medical their patients, no action has been home isolation in the beginning. three days, they secured a vacant bed out mentioning their name. rising steadily across the country, College at Sinamangal published a taken so far. The next day, Chaudhari fainted at at the National Trauma Centre, a gov- For people like Thakuri, getting thousands of families are struggling notice stating that it would be charg- Dr Samir Kumar Adhikari, joint around 4 in the evening. His family ernment hospital. treated at private hospitals means to admit their loved ones at hospitals. ing Rs10,000 to Rs30,000 per day for the spokesperson for the Health Ministry, rushed him to the hospital. But get- When Thakuri contacted Om bearing a heavy financial burden, All beds at state-run hospitals treat- treatment of a Covid-19 patient. said private hospitals can charge only ting a bed even in the general ward Saibaba Memorial Hospital to pay the most of it in the form of loans. ing Covid-19 patients are occupied at HAMS Hospital at Mandikhatar up to 50 percent extra, on top of the was difficult at a time when daily new bill, she was in for a shock. The cost of “My whole family works in a gar- the moment. also published a similar notice, where price fixed by the government for the Covid-19 cases were crossing the ten days of treatment in a general bed ments factory. With the latest The country reported 8,591 new the price of bed and ‘biosafety charge’ specified services. 8,000 mark. with supplemental oxygen was Rs147, onslaught of the coronavirus in infections in the last 24 hours, accord- for Covid-19 patients ranged from “If the hospital is found charging “After running from one hospital to 500, excluding medicines and ambu- the country, we all lost our jobs. ing to a government tally released on Rs7,000 to Rs 50,000. more than that, anyone can file a com- another, we finally got one general bed lance charges. Managing such a huge amount of Saturday afternoon. The government The Ministry of Health and plaint with the Health Ministry and at Om Saibaba Memorial Hospital at When the Post contacted Om money was very difficult for us,” also confirmed 129 Covid-19-related Population has fixed rates for Covid-19 action would be taken,” Adhikari told Banasthali,” said Radha Thakuri, Saibaba Memorial Hospital and Thakuri told the Post. deaths in the same period. treatment at hospitals—Rs3,500 per the Post.

C M Y K SUNDAY, MAY 23, 2021 | 04 OPINION Severe flaws in the governance system The mantra of politics, it is increasingly being realised, does not appear to be the spirit of freedom and equality.

ABHI SUBEDI WORDS & ECHOES

I want to take a very worldly approach to discuss the two basic components of politics—system and agency. This is a subject for the political scientists, philosophers or academicians who have spent the best part of their lives teaching them. I belong to none of these categories. As a teacher and writer of literature, arts, performance studies or theatre, my focus is always on what is simpler than the other approach. We work with one mantra—theatre is the simplest subject or theme; it has no paraphernalia and is unassuming and simple. We work with the belief that the world goes dotty at different cycles of history threatening to demol- ish the human achievements, and it is the duty of the theatre people—the playwright, director, artists and those who create the mise-en-scène to restore some degree of sanity. Our mantra is, always go towards the basic, the sim- ple and thereby to the profound. It’s like a Zen Satori, or realisation, acquired in a flash. I do not pretend to judge the jugger- naut of politics and the systems of government, which is beyond my abil- ity. But I would like to interpret or question some of the prevailing norms about politics and the systems of government that govern our lives today. SHUTTERSTOCK ties. India too was going to the polls the causes of the difficulties of the communists, or those who do not equality, rights of the people and eco- The second factor is one of spectral- Democracy and Parliament soon. ... Prominent Socialists of Israel, parliamentary political system on a want, as they claim, to see the people nomic amelioration. ity, which is, the spectres of history The parliamentary system of govern- Europe and Asia were participating in day-to-day basis. The Parliament fall into the quagmire of the parlia- The element of agency has become continue to haunt the rulers and their ment has been the greatest focus of that. I said to them, “my analysis says becomes a centre of algorithmic exer- mentary system of government. the dominant factor now. It is not the followers. As a result, even a commu- democratic politics in this region. I that we have a great possibility of cise when a party fails to win a suffi- The communist parties of Nepal spirit of the constitution, but the atti- nist becomes an orthodox worshipper; want to cite BP Koirala’s experiences, winning; our chance of winning the cient number of seats to form a gov- who have opted for a parliamentary tude and approach of the agencies a powerful leader of a great democrat- which reflect his great adherence to the election is the highest.”’ It is interest- ernment. But aberrations in the algo- system of government fought in tan- who function with that have become ic country becomes the exponent of democratic functional power of this ing to recall here that BP’s prediction rithm appear when even a party that dem with the other parliamentary dominant now. I personally had not the apparitions, ghosts or spectres of system. In his memoir, Atmabrittanta, turned out to be correct. Nepali has won a two-thirds majority fails to parties to establish a democratic imagined that the democratic or the conspiracies and lies. Both of those Koirala recalls how he had expressed Congress made a landslide victory in live up to that achievement and republican system of government. socialist ideals would show signs of who are melancholic and haunted by his confidence about winning the elec- the parliamentary election of 1958. becomes the largest minority, as is the The constitution is in place. Ironically, erosion so fast. Different perspectives the spectres resort to the promotion of tions in Nepal in his interactions with The political drama of this system present case of the elected communist the same political parties are may come into play if sincere their agents to do things like amassing his Asian Socialist comrades. That was took various turns after king parliament of Nepal. making it difficult for the constitution discussions are opened about this wealth at the cost of the people’s just after he returned from his European Mahendra dissolved Parliament, Discussions about alternate sys- to operate. In essence, the dynamics phenomenon. health, as we see now, and indulge in tour of 1956. BP recalls his meetings imprisoned BP and introduced the tems are going strong in Nepal now. of this political system does not Thinkers believe two elements— the violation of fundamental rights. with the Asians. Following is my trans- Panchayat rule in Nepal. My inquiry There are two variants of this line of appear to be propelled by democratic melancholia and spectrality—domi- A system, whether that is parlia- lation of one: focuses on where we stand in republi- argument. One is that a directly elect- passion and commitment. It seems nate the political psyche today. A mel- mentary or presidential, fails if the ‘Elections were going to take place can Nepal, in terms of the parliamen- ed presidential system alone will solve the constitution and the parliamenta- ancholic psyche appears to be a strong political leaders in power and in six countries of this region—and tary system functioning. The history the problem. The other line of argu- ry system are devoid of creative factor, the source of which is the opposition drift away from the right that was just before our own election from BP’s experience to the present ment is that the capitalist parliamen- political dynamics. It has become mindset of the rulers or the governing course of action. BP Koirala’s was going to happen—when our Asian shows a shift of power from the mon- tary system is the cause of instability just a form of algorithm, pure and elites. The minds of those in the faith in an honestly managed parlia- Socialist Conference was underway in archy to the people. and incessant negotiations for power. simple. To use the language of theatre upper echelons of power govern poli- mentary system is even more valid Bombay. Elections were going to take This system should be abandoned. again, the mantra of politics, it is tics, no matter what system is in place. today than ever before. But the agents place in Sri Lanka, Burma and Nepal. Anomalies in the system Those who take this line of arguments increasingly being realised, does not Big or small countries present such who run it should be honest and That was towards the end of the fif- It seems that we are now trying to find are the erstwhile Maoists, or khatti appear to be the spirit of freedom, examples. visionary for that.

How are we failing our daughters?

how they feel about having sex, and Parents have the they try hard to normalise these feel- ings. They understand that they are biggest role to play in merely curious teenagers. They put their narratives in a way that makes taking care of the mental their Real-Self look open-minded, act- ing as if engaging in sexual activities health of their children. is not such a big deal.

Limited to women ROJISHA SHAHI THAKURI On the other hand, the Ideal-Self they perceive is the ‘good girl’ society wants them to be. This ideal girl does not talk about sex, is not involved in any sexual activity, and is a virgin— pure until the day she gets married. When the terms ‘good’ and ‘pure’ are only linked to sex, and is only limited A woman’s sexuality has always to women, then the struggle to become been a matter of debate in Nepali one’s Ideal-Self leads to severe emo- society. Talking about sex is horrify- tional turmoil and conditions of men- ing for many parents. We secretly tal illness. With the rise in the hope and believe that our daughters use of social media, many teenage can make wise decisions to not girls also feel pressured to keep up give in to their curiosity about sex with the global concept of women’s before marriage. This belief is sexuality. But the cost of keeping up deeply engraved in our society, with such a concept in Nepal is fear and we pass it on to our daughters and dilemma—and being referred to through various behavioural and cul- as sluts. tural means without actually having Parents have the biggest role to play to talk about sex or sexuality. The rest in taking care of the mental health of of the world has moved past the con- their daughters. As parents, it is our cept of sexuality while women in responsibility to talk to our teenage Nepal have been struggling to keep up. daughters about sex, make them With society grappling to accept this aware of society’s double standards concept, Nepali women, especially on sexuality, and prepare them to face teenagers, have been facing a new social pressure without feeling bad form of abuse—an abuse referred to about themselves. as slut-shaming. We should make sure they know the A 14-year-old girl who had been appropriate age to indulge in sexual taking anti-depressants for over activities as well as the appropriate two years came to me for help. She fell SHUTTERSTOCK safety measures. These conversations into depression after constantly Biased views they faced due to the fear of being chologist Carl Roger’s Theory of Self. two personalities, trying to grow into can get awkward and can go wrong in being slut-shamed by her friends for I have seen many cases of teenage called a slut. A 15-year-old who was This theory states that we humans see our ideal self, we face the struggle of many ways, but it is extremely vital. moving on to a second relationship girls facing these slut-shaming abus- sexually abused by her neighbour told ourselves as a Real-Self and an Ideal- figuring out who we really are and Likewise, we as parents must con- swiftly after having a failed es; but in my experience, I have hardly me how she did not have the courage Self. The Ideal-Self is our perception what we want to become. This becomes stantly learn to communicate with previous one. Many of her friends seen teen boys struggling with these to speak up about it. She tried telling of the self that we want ourselves to a turning point that determines our our children with more compassion supposedly called her chhaada and issues. They are rather glorified by her friends who, rather than trying to be. This self is true to their values, self-esteem. Lack of self-esteem is one and grace. We should always try to uttauli. Another client, a 19-year-old their peers for being able to flirt with help, put the blame on her for being and is always good or right. The Real- of the most critical psychological include them in making collaborative girl, got married to her boyfriend more than one girl. The use of the ‘provocative’. She now suffers from Self is the present self, who we cur- stressors among people. decisions instead of just giving them after getting into a physical relation- term playboy or boka is prevalent anxiety, and needs to take pills to cope rently are and how others perceive us I work with teenagers on a daily orders. Lastly, we must teach our chil- ship with him as she was afraid of among boys; it does not seem to pro- with it. and how we ourselves perceive our- basis, especially girls, and many of dren the right values; not the values being called a slut. The guy now con- duce the safe negative effect as the All this unnecessary pressure and selves to be. them struggle with this idea of the governed by society, but values that stantly cheats on her with other terms used to describe girls. It seems fear that society and parents put on This perception of the present self self to a point where it hampers their lead to their mental and physical women, and she blames herself for that the value of sex is higher for their daughters to make sure they live might or might not have values simi- mental health. Their Real-Self wants well-being. getting stuck in a dead-end toxic rela- women than for men. according to social norms makes them lar to that of the Ideal-Self. When the to know more about sex; it wants to be tionship because she made a ‘mistake’ Moreover, I have experienced cases more vulnerable to mental illness. I Ideal-Self and the Real-Self do not in a relationship, and is open to the Thakuri has a Master’s degree in or, in her words, ‘nagarnu galti gari- where girls were even scared to speak would briefly like to explain why this match, we fall into a pit of despair. As idea of engaging in sexual activity. clinical psychology from Tribhuvan haley’. against the sexual harassment that is a problem through humanist psy- we move into the grey areas of these Some teenagers are actually aware of University.

C M Y K 05 | SUNDAY, MAY 23, 2021 MONEY

FOREX Air India says US Dollar 116.84 Imported potatoes appear in highlands Euro 142.86 February’s data Pound Sterling 166.08 Japanese Yen 10.75 as winter drought decreases yields breach affected 4.5 Chinese Yuan 18.17 Taplejung district, long known as a heartland of potato cultivation, now imports the vegetable. million passengers Qatari Riyal 32.08

Australian Dollar 90.75 ANANDA GAUTAM REUTERS TAPLEJUNG, MAY 22 NEW DELHI, MAY 22 Malaysian Ringit 28.22 Tenzing Walung of Olangchung Gola Personal data of about 4.5 million pas- Saudi Arab Riyal 31.16 village had to buy potatoes from sengers of Air India was leaked in a Exchange rates fixed by Nepal Rastra Bank Phungling, the district headquarters cyber-attack on the airline’s data pro- of Taplejung district, long known as a cessor but the compromised servers heartland of potato growing, due to a were later secured, the Indian state- PRICE PER TOLA BULLION shortage this year. run carrier said in a statement. The mountain district in eastern The debt-laden airline, a member of Fine Gold Rs 93,300 Nepal which borders Tibet in the global airlines consortium Star north, suffered a winter drought Alliance, said the breach involved per- Silver Rs 1,350 which decreased yield. Farmers said sonal data, such as name, contact, that soil health was another problem passport, ticket and credit card details, SOURCE: FENEGOSIDA they had been facing for a few years. registered between Aug 2011 and Feb Potatoes are cultivated here on a 2021. No passwords were affected. commercial level, but production has Air India’s data processor, SITA PSS GASOLINE WATCH been falling short of demand. (Passenger Service System), had in Walung was surprised to find out recent months informed the airline that the potatoes he had bought were about a cyber-attack it faced in grown in India’s Bihar state, which February, following which the Indian lies at an elevation of 52 metres above airline investigated the matter and sea level, and transported all the way secured compromised servers. to 3,000-metre-high Taplejung in the “Our data processor (SITA) has Himalayan mountains. ensured that no abnormal activity From Bihar, the cargo is carried by was observed after securing the com- truck to Lelep, and from there by mule promised servers,” the airline said and donkey caravan to the highlands. late on Friday. “The potatoes come in 30-kg bags,” SHUTTERSTOCK SITA, which serves the Star Alliance said Walung. The vegetables arrive in Potatoes are cultivated commercially in Olangchung Gola, Yangma, Ghunsa, Khambachen, Phale and Gyabla villages. of airlines including Singapore Birtamod, Jhapa in the southern Airlines, Lufthansa and United, had in Tarai plains, and reach the villages in producing area. “Yangma used to pro- as potato yields had been declining for The then District Agriculture March said it had faced a “highly the mountain region. “I heard these duce 5.76 tonnes of potatoes annually, the past few years. “The drop in pro- Development Office and rural munici- sophisticated” cyber-attack after potatoes were from Ilam, but they are but this year output plunged to 1.44 duction has not only worried farmers pality ignored the problems of farm- which it initiated containment meas- actually imported from India.” tonnes,” said Walung. but also local authorities.” ers despite knowing about them, ures. It was not immediately clear if Locals said that they had never “As a large portion of the potato Locals said that production declined they said. any other airlines were affected by the heard of Indian potatoes being sent to harvest is kept to be used as seeds, as a result of poor soil health. They Sherpa said the problem could be incident SITA reported in March. Olangchung Gola as Taplejung dis- farmers are buying Indian potatoes,” said that the seed replacement rate solved by simply doing a soil test. Asked for comment, SITA referred trict is itself a potato zone. he said. was also poor as farmers were plant- “The Agriculture Knowledge Centre Reuters to its March announcement Dandu Sherpa from Lelep Ghunsa According to Sherpa, they had to ing the same varieties for years. should send a team of experts to each on Saturday, adding that it had of Phaktanglung rural municipality-6 buy Indian potatoes for the first time According to them, the key challenge village to conduct studies.” duly informed Air India and “the also imported Indian potatoes this this year, even though the quality is is climate change. Potatoes are culti- Potato production in the district matter remains under active investi- year. Rice, pulses, salt, oil and other not good as the local variety. vated commercially in Olangchung covers 61 wards. According to the gation by SITA.” food items from India besides potatoes Cheten Sherpa Bhote, chairman of Gola, Yangma, Ghunsa, Khambachen, Agriculture Knowledge Centre, up to For Air India, the breach is the lat- have also reached Ghunsa. ward number 7 of Phaktanglung Phale and Gyabla villages. 50,000 tonnes of potatoes are produced est headache at a time when it is There are a large number of hotels rural municipality, said that some vil- Residents of Ghunsa used to make in the district annually. trying to rein in costs while the gov- IMF says ending serving tourists at the base camp of lages in Taplejung had to depend on seasonal migration to Phale to escape The market price of potato ranges ernment seeks to sell its interest in 8,586-metre-tall Kanchenjunga, the imported potatoes as production the snow in winter and also to culti- from Rs25 per kg in the off season to the company. second highest mountain in Nepal and declined significantly due to the win- vate potatoes. They also used to go to as high as Rs95 per kg. Potatoes The airline is also embroiled in a Covid-19 pandemic the third highest in the world. ter drought. Khambachen for farming purposes. become dear from mid-October to legal battle with British firm Cairn Nowadays they all depend on import- “We are also very concerned about But due to the decline in potato pro- mid-November. Energy with pressure on the Indian ed goods, mostly from India, for their the drop in production,” Bhote duction, farmers have left the field “Computed on the basis of the aver- government to pay a $1.2 billion arbi- possible at cost of requirements. said. “We are trying to import new barren. age price of Rs40 per kg, the district tration award that Cairn was awarded Potatoes grown in Olangchung Gola varieties of potato seeds by testing the Local farmers claimed that they had trades potatoes worth Rs1.93 billion by an arbitration tribunal in were being sold not only locally but soil,” he added. not been able to continue potato farm- annually,” said Harish Chandra December. Other major cyber inci- some $50 billion also in the lower settlements of Cheten Walung, spokesperson for ing because soil testing was not being Silwal, an agriculture expert. The dis- dents in the recent past include easy- Phaktanglung rural municipality. Phaktanglung rural municipality, said done. They said agricultural experts trict produces two potato crops a Jet, which last year said hackers had REUTERS Walung said that potato production that discussions were underway to were not doing studies, and they were year--summer and winter. The yield is accessed the email and travel details WASHINGTON, MAY 22 dropped sharply in Yangma, the key bring a team of experts to test the soil not getting any assistance from them. less in winter. of around 9 million customers.

The International Monetary Fund on Friday unveiled a $50 billion proposal to end the Covid-19 pandemic by vacci- nating at least 40 percent of the popu- lation in all countries by the end of 2021 and at least 60 percent by the first Between a rock and a hard half of 2022. Doing so, IMF officials say, would inject the equivalent of $9 trillion into place: China’s taming of hot the global economy by 2025 due to a faster resumption of economic activi- ty, with rich countries potentially ben- efiting the most. commodities may be fleeting The pandemic has killed more than 3.5 million people across the world, and projections point to highly une- qual health prospects well into 2022, which poses “severe risks” for the world, including heightened chances of social unrest and geopolitical ten- sions, the IMF said. Barring quick action, many poor nations will not see large percentages of their populations vaccinated until 2023, the IMF said. IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva told a health summit host- ed by the European Commission and Group of 20 major economies that it made sense for rich economies to boost donations to ensure a faster end to the pandemic.

REUTERS The pandemic has A worker monitors molten iron being poured into a container at a steel plant in Hefei, China. killed more than REUTERS per producer Chile, and a delayed BEIJING/SHANGHAI/HANOI, MAY 22 recovery in iron ore supply from 3.5 million people Brazil’s Vale are expected to constrain China’s recent measures aimed at overall metal supplies in 2021. across the world. cooling red hot industrial commodi- Beijing’s warnings over the overheat- ties prices will likely only have a tem- ed sector come after prices of key porary affect unless authorities take metals climbed by more than a third “Advanced economies—asked to steps to curb consumption and poten- this year, contributing to a spike in contribute most to this effort—would tially lower economic growth, ana- factory gate prices and lower output likely see the highest return on lysts said. last month. public investment in modern history, China’s cabinet said on Wednesday Specific steps that Beijing said it capturing 40 percent of the GDP gains it will strengthen its management of will take include more regulation of and roughly $1 trillion in additional commodity supply and demand to imports, exports and stockpiling, tax revenues,” she said in her pre- curb “unreasonable” price gains to tougher inspections of physical pared remarks. prevent consumers from being hit, and derivatives markets, and investi- The proposal, drafted by IMF triggering a rout across industrial gations into behaviour that bids up chief economist Gita Gopinath metals on Thursday. prices. and staff economist Ruchir Agarwal, Yet with China’s robust economic China does not disclose its strategic builds on efforts already underway growth driving strong metal use in stockpile reserves. It has in the past by the Access to Covid-19 Tools both manufacturing and construction, bought commodities such as alumini- (ACT) Accelerator, United Nations, and overall metal supplies constrained um and zinc to support domestic pro- World Health Organisation and by output issues in key producers, ducers, and sold some industrial met- other groups. policymakers are seen having only a als like copper to cap runaway prices. Implementing the plan would cost limited influence on prices unless “China’s intention to release metals some $50 billion, with $35 billion they bring about a cut in real to contain the prices indicate that they to be paid for by grants from rich demand.“When it comes to commodi- have enough material stored to cool countries, private and multilateral ties, Chinese officials are between a prices in the short term, but will donors, and the remaining $15 billion rock and a hard place. A stabilization, not have a lasting impact on the to be funded by national governments or even a decline, in prices would market,” ANZ commodity analyst using low- or no-interest financing require curbing demand,” said Soni Kumari said. The National available from multilateral develop- Frederic Neumann, co-head of Asian Food and Strategic Reserves ment banks. Economics Research at HSBC. Administration did not respond to a G20 countries had already recog- “On its own, expanding supply, faxed request for comment. nised the need for some $22 billion in either through increased production “The [state] stocks release is essen- grants to tackle the health crisis, leav- or the release of stockpiles, will likely tially adding to market supply, but I ing some $13 billion in additional have only a temporary impact in don’t think this could solve the issue grants needed to reach $50 billion, the restraining price gains. The trouble permanently. And it’s unwise to do IMF said. with curbing demand, of course, is this with large amounts too often, Georgieva had discussed the pro- that it would harm economic growth.” especially when it comes to copper, as posal with leaders in the Group of If supply remains inelastic, “you it is a strategic metal,” ING’s Wenyu Seven (G7) advanced economies and can’t suppress demand without hurt- Yao said. G20, Gopinath told reporters, adding ing the economy,” ING senior com- Beijing is also expected to crack that she wanted to say she was opti- modity strategist Wenyu Yao said. down on hoarding, but again the affect mistic they would back the plan, but it “There’s no perfect solution.” is likely to be only temporary as over- was too soon to be sure. Threats of a mine strike in top cop- all inventories remain relatively low.

C M Y K SUNDAY, MAY 23, 2021 | 06 WORLD BRIEFING Life slowly resumes in ravaged Gaza Covid spreads to Biden, Moon ‘deeply concerned’ rural India as about North Korea WASHINGTON: President Joe Biden has Strip after ceasefire with Israel deaths again rise said he and South Korean President Moon Jae-in remain “deeply con- Aid trickles into the enclave controlled by Islamist group Hamas as focus turns to rebuilding the devastated territory. cerned” about the situation with above 4,000 North Korea, and announced he will AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE deploy a new special envoy to the GAZA CITY, MAY 22 REUTERS region to help refocus efforts on MUMBAI, MAY 22 pressing Pyongyang to abandon its Cafes reopened, fishermen set out to nuclear weapons program. Moon, sea and shopkeepers dusted off India’s Covid-19 outbreak has stabi- meanwhile, welcomed “America’s shelves Saturday as Gazans slowly lised in parts of the country, a govern- return” to the world stage and said resumed their daily lives after a dead- ment official said, but deaths rose by both leaders pledged in their meeting ly 11-day conflict between Hamas and 4,194 on Saturday and infections were to work closely toward denuclearisa- Israel. spreading in rural areas where public tion of the Korean Peninsula. Biden Aid trickled into the Gaza Strip, the health services are scarce and already said he was dispatching diplomat blockaded enclave controlled by the overstretched. Sung Kim, who previously served as Islamist group Hamas, as the focus India reported more than 400,000 ambassador to South Korea, to serve turned to rebuilding the devastated infections a day in early May but the as the special envoy to the region. territory a day after a ceasefire took numbers have gradually eased. On Moon said Biden’s move “reflects the hold. Saturday, government data showed firm commitment of the US for The Egypt-brokered truce halted 257,299 new cases. exploring diplomacy and its readi- Israeli air strikes on the crowded Active cases in the richest state of ness for dialogue with North Korea.” Palestinian territory and rockets fired Maharashtra and Karnataka, home to by Palestinian armed groups at Israel the tech hub of Bengaluru, and the since May 10. coastal state of Kerala had fallen in Covid-19 deaths in Latin Rescue workers searched for bodies the last two weeks, health ministry America surpass 1 million or survivors in mounds of rubble after official Lav Agarwal told reporters. RIO DE JANEIRO: The death toll from what Gazans referred to in the street Daily numbers in states including Covid-19 in Latin America and the as the latest “war” or “escalation” West Bengal, which recently conclud- Caribbean passed 1 million people on with the Jewish state. ed state elections, and the southern tes of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Friday, according to a Reuters tally, In Gaza City’s port, Rami Abu sta Nadu were on the rise, he said. with the pandemic worsening in the Amira and a dozen other fisherman With hospitals overflowing, the part of the world with the highest per prepared their nets before heading out health system overwhelmed in the cit- capita death rate. From the dusty to sea for the first time in two weeks. ies and a shortage of vaccines, experts highlands of Bolivia to the Brazilian “We need to eat,” he said after the have warned India could face a third metropolis of São Paulo, the pandem- Gaza coastguard allowed fishing wave of infections in coming months. ic has swamped underfunded health- again, though adding he would stick “While it [spread of coronavirus] care systems after spreading fast close to the coastline to stay safe. has stabilised in many parts of the across nations where many people “We, fishermen, are scared the AP/RSS country, and overall the burden has survive hand-to-mouth and have been Israeli navy will shoot at us. It’s up to Protesters gather in central London on Saturday and take part in a rally in support of Palestinians. lessened, we have a long way to go unable to enter lockdown. In Peru, everyone to decide whether to go or not.” with this wave,” Dr VK Paul, part of a Covid-19 patients have died in crowd- ed hospital corridors of Lima. The latest round of bombardment ravaged tower block in the upscale ing much-needed medicine, food and been an “exceptional success”. federal government panel on Covid-19 killed 248 people in Gaza, including 66 neighbourhood of Rimal in Gaza City, fuel. The UN’s Central Emergency Hamas’ political chief Ismail management, told a news conference. children, and wounded more than mannequins still wore the latest 2021 Response Fund said it had released Haniyeh said they had “dealt a painful “For the first time, we have seen Queen Elizabeth II visits carrier 1,900 since May 10, the Hamas-run trends, but they were now caked in $18.5 million for humanitarian efforts. and severe blow that will leave its deep that rural areas have been affected in health ministry says. dust. The latest round of Israeli bom- marks” on Israel, and thanked Iran for this pandemic.” ahead of maiden deployment The United Nations says more than Bilal Mansur, 29, said all his mer- bardment forced 91,000 people to flee “providing funds and weapons”. Total infections in the country stood LONDON: Queen Elizabeth II made a half of those killed, the overwhelming chandise had been ruined. their homes in Gaza, the UN humani- The international community wel- at 26.3 million, the second highest in quick visit on Saturday to the Royal majority in Israeli air strikes, were “There’s dust everywhere, dust tarian agency says. comed the ceasefire. the world after the United States, Navy’s flagship aircraft carrier that civilians. Israel says it has killed from the Israeli bombs clinging to the It has hit 1,447 homes, completely US President Joe Biden pledged to while the country’s total death toll bears the name of her eponymous “more than 200 terrorists”, including clothes. We won’t be able to sell them,” destroying 205 residential blocks or help organise efforts to rebuild Gaza was 295,525. Prime Minister Narendra forebear, ahead of its maiden opera- 25 commanders. he said. homes, as well as ravaged electricity and said creating a Palestinian state Modi and state authorities have faced tional deployment. The HMS Queen During the same period, rockets Nearby store-owner Wael Amin and water supply, according to the alongside Israel is the “only answer” widespread criticism for failing to Elizabeth, named after the Tudor-era fired by Palestinian armed groups al-Sharafa said he had stocked up his Gaza authorities. to the conflict. “We still need a two- counter the pandemic as many offi- monarch who vanquished the killed 12 people in Israel including one shop with new clothes to sell during The UN says three main desalina- state solution,” he said. cials gear up for another surge. Spanish Armada, will be leading a child, a teenager, an Israeli soldier, the usually busy season of Eid al-Fitr tion plants providing drinking water Peace talks have stalled since 2014 The slow pace of vaccination in the 28-week deployment to the Far East one Indian and two Thai nationals, the at the end of the Muslim fasting for more than 400,000 people have including over the key issues of the country is another major concern. that Prime Minister Boris Johnson police say. Some 357 people in Israel month of Ramadan. stopped working. status of occupied east Jerusalem and New Delhi’s chief minister said city has insisted is not confrontational were injured. “But now it’s all lost,” he said. “Who Both sides were fast to claim victo- Israeli settlements in the West Bank. authorities had been forced to halt towards China. The 3 billion-pound On Friday evening in Gaza, will pay for all this? I have no idea.” ry, as Egyptian state media said two In a reminder of ongoing tensions vaccinations for those aged between ship, which has eight RAF F35B Palestinian families had rushed to Convoys of lorries carrying aid Egyptian security delegations had despite the ceasefire, Israeli police on 18 and 44 as supplies had run out. stealth fighter jets on board, will seaside cafes to breathe fresh air or began passing into Gaza Friday arrived to monitor the deal. Friday fired stun grenades at worship- Andhra Pradesh chief minister depart from Portsmouth Naval Base smoke shisha. through the Kerem Shalom crossing Prime Minister Benjamin pers in the highly sensitive Al-Aqsa urged Modi to help with supplies as later Saturday. (AGENCIES) In a clothes store near the ruins of a after it was reopened by Israel, bring- Netanyahu said Israel’s bombing had mosque compound in Jerusalem. the state had no vaccine stocks. Myanmar junta leader says Suu Vaccine makers pledge 2.3b doses to poorer nations

Kyi will soon appear in court ASSOCIATED PRESS children. Experts warn that allowing ROME, MAY 22 the virus to spread unchecked any- radios to violating a state secrets law. where in the world could lead to the “Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is in good A global health summit that under- emergence of potentially dangerous health. She is at her home and healthy. lined the growing disparity between variants. She is going to face trial at the court in rich and poor countries during the During the global health summit in a few days,” Min Aung Hlaing said by pandemic has closed with pledges by Rome, Draghi said that nearly 1.5 bil- video link with the Hong Kong-based pharmaceutical companies to deliver lion vaccine doses have been adminis- Chinese language broadcaster more than 1.3 billion doses of Covid-19 tered in over 180 countries worldwide. Phoenix Television on May 20, in vaccines to low- and middle-income Yet only 0.3 percent were in low-in- excerpts released on Saturday. countries this year. come countries, while richer coun- The interviewer asked him what Italian Premier Mario Draghi, host tries administered around 85 percent. he thought of the performance of Suu of the Rome summit that brought “The differences in the vaccination Kyi, 75, who is widely admired in together the Group of 20 and the rates are staggering,” the Italian lead- the country of 53 million for her European Union’s executive arm, er said. “Not only are these disparities campaign that had brought tentative called the contributions by unacceptable, they are also a threat so democratic reforms which were cut private companies “significant and long as the virus continues to circu- short by the coup. staggering.” late freely around the world it can “She tried all she could,” Min Aung The pledges made include 1 billion mutate dangerously and undermine Hlaing responded. doses from American pharmaceutical even the most successful vaccination He reiterated that the army had company Pfizer and German campaign.” REUTERS seized power because it had identified company BioNTech’s, 200 million from REUTERS FILE To address inequalities and contain REUTERS fraud in an election won by Suu Kyi’s Johnson & Johnson and 100 million A medical worker prepares to dilute a vial of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at a centre in Singapore. the pandemic, the head of the World NAYPYIDAW, MAY 22 party in November - although its accu- from Moderna. Trade Organization said on the eve of sations were rejected by the then elec- They will be provided at cost for year due to Covid-19 crisis on the sub- izations like the World Health the summit that it’s also crucial to Myanmar’s junta leader Min Aung tion commission. low-income countries and at a low continent. Organization and the World Trade diversify vaccine manufacturing and Hlaing said deposed leader Aung San He said the army would hold elec- profit for middle-income countries. The pharmaceutical companies Organization would have a role in to have more production taking place Suu Kyi was healthy at home and tions and potential changes to the Pfizer and BioNTech pledged an did not specify if their pledges would ensuring the commitments. in Africa and Latin America. The would appear in court in a few days, in constitution had been identified and additional 1 billion for next year, while be fulfilled under any particular Von der Leyen said the doses European Union raised many of the his first interview since overthrowing would be made if they were “the peo- European Union nations promised umbrella. pledged by European countries were same points WTO Director-General her in a February 1 coup. ple’s will”. another 100 million doses for this year. But Draghi said the commitments carefully considered, “so we feel Okonjo-Iweala made, specifically look- The coup has plunged the Southeast Suu Kyi’s next court appearance Many of the European deliveries made Friday in some measure reflect responsible and accountable.” ing to increase manufacturing produc- Asian country into chaos and one of is due on Monday in the capital will take place through the UN-backed “a desire to remediate the injustices As vaccination campaigns continue tion in Africa. several ethnic armed groups opposed Naypyidaw. So far she has appeared COVAX programme, said European and inequities when in the most diffi- to progress in the Western world, “Today, Africa imports 99 percent of to the ruling junta advanced to attack only by video link and as yet to Commission President Ursula von der cult moments some closed themselves poorer countries are struggling to its vaccines, and this has to change,” a military post in a northwestern be allowed to speak directly to her Leyen, who co-hosted the summit. and ignored the rest of the world.” acquire supplies. The UN Security EU executive von der Leyen said. “And jade mining town on Saturday, local lawyers. COVAX aims to ensure equitable Both he and von der Leyen expressed Council expressed concern this week therefore, team Europe is launching media said. The junta has cited security reasons access to Covid-19 shots for low-and confidence that the pledges would be about the small number of doses that an initiative with African partners to Suu Kyi, a Nobel Peace Prize laure- for not allowing her to speak to her middle-income countries. honoured. have reached Africa. develop vaccine production in Africa. ate for her long struggle against previ- lawyers in private at a time the mili- Earlier this week, the program suf- “These companies have committed Last week, World Health The initiative will develop a number ous military rulers, is among more tary authorities have not established fered a major setback when its biggest their whole reputations to this. It is a Organization chief Tedros Adhanom of regional hubs across the continent than 4,000 people detained since the control of the country in the face of supplier, the Serum Institute of India, very, very important move that really Ghebreyesus urged rich countries to and it will draw on the full toolbox of coup. She faces charges that range daily protests, strikes and renewed announced it would likely not export will change the landscape,” Draghi donate their vaccines before immuniz- team Europe, including 1 billion euros from illegally possessing walkie-talkie insurgencies. any more vaccines until the end of the said, adding that international organ- ing younger populations, including ($1.2 billion) of investment.” 3 dead, dozens hurt in China quakes China’s rover touches Martian ground ASSOCIATED PRESS ASSOCIATED PRESS The Qinghai earthquake was fol- damage, especially in populated areas. BEIJING, MAY 22 BEIJING, MAY 22 lowed by 453 aftershocks throughout The earthquake caused strong the early morning into midday, accord- shaking around Dali, but Chinese China’s first Mars rover has driven A strong, shallow earthquake shook ing to the official People’s Daily news- news reports showed relatively little down from its landing platform and is southwestern China near the border paper. At least eight people were damage. now roaming the surface of the red with Myanmar, killing at least three injured. Three people died and 28 were planet, China’s space administration people and injuring more than two While no deaths have been reported injured, Yunan province’s publicity said Saturday. dozen, while a separate, more intense so far in Qinghai province, the quakes department said Saturday. The solar-powered rover touched quake early Saturday collapsed a tore up roads and bridges, with one Relief efforts were underway, with Martian soil at 10:40 am on Saturday bridge and caused other damage in collapsing completely, broken into seg- the provincial authorities sending Beijing time, the China National central China. ments. emergency rations and tents to the Space Administration said. The first, 6.4 magnitude earthquake The Yunnan province seismological affected areas. In Qinghai, authorities China landed the spacecraft carry- hit Yunnan province late Friday. The bureau gave the magnitude of Friday set up temporary safety shelters due ing the rover on Mars last Saturday, a second 7.3 magnitude quake occurred night’s quake and said it struck 8 kilo- to continuous aftershocks. technically challenging feat more dif- hours later in the southern part of metres below the surface northwest of Last year, a magnitude 5 earthquake ficult than a moon landing, in a first AP/RSS Qinghai province, about 1,000 kilo- the city of Dali. in Yunnan killed four people and for the country. It is the second coun- In this image provided by the Chinese agency, Zhurong rover is depicted on the Mars surface. metres to the south, according to A local television said an emergen- injured 23. China’s worst earthquake try to do so, after the United States. Chinese measurements. cy was declared and rescue operations in recent years struck the mountain- Named after the Chinese god of fire, Saturday. It is expected to be deployed rover and a tiny helicopter exploring US Geological Survey geophysicist were launched in Dali, a city of 134,000 ous western portion of Sichuan prov- Zhurong, the rover has been running for 90 days to search of evidence the planet. NASA expects the rover to Jonathan Tytell said the two quakes people about 24 km from the epicentre. ince to the north of Yunnan in 2008, diagnostics tests for several days of life. The US also has an ongoing collect its first sample in July for were not related. Shallow quakes often cause more killing nearly 90,000 people. before it began its exploration Mars mission, with the Perseverance return to Earth as early as 2031.

C M Y K 07 | SUNDAY, MAY 23, 2021 SPORTS | MEDLEY Lille ready to Klopp urges Liverpool to fight for top-four finish dethrone Paris All the deposed champions Reds have to do at home to Crystal Palace on Sunday is match Leicester City’s result against Tottenham Hotspur. Saint-Germain AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE job at Villa, so they can avoid going LIVERPOOL, MAY 22 into the City showdown with the extra AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE pressure of Champions League quali- PARIS, MAY 22 Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool’s bid to fication at stake. “For sure, for sure. qualify for the Champions League is We don’t need to talk around it, for A tight French title race culminates “in our hands” as they seek to end a sure it takes some pressure off,” Sunday with table toppers Lille a win disappointing season on a high by Tuchel said of the benefits of beating away from dethroning Neymar and finishing in the Premier League’s Villa. “We’ve put so much hard work, Kylian Mbappe’s Paris Saint-Germain top four. so much quality and a very consistent as champions. The deposed champions are battling amount of results into the last few Christophe Galtier’s outfit have no with Chelsea and Leicester for the two months, that we want to finish the job major stars but are unbeaten away remaining slots in next season’s on Sunday. Three teams have a since November and travel to mid-ta- Champions League, with Manchester chance to catch two places, and so the ble Angers, a team who have lost five City and Manchester United already race is on.” of their last six league games. On 80 assured of qualification. Klopp’s FA Cup winners Leicester potential- points, Lille hold a slender one-point men are level with Leicester on 66 ly face heartbreak for a second succes- lead over PSG who won the French points but their goal difference is sive season after missing out last year Cup in midweek. superior, meaning all the Reds have to after a final-day defeat by Manchester Galtier has been a tower of strength do at home to Crystal Palace on United. But Brendan Rodgers will at the head of three-time former Sunday is match the Foxes’ result fancy his team’s chances of beating champions Lille, and is confident his against Tottenham. Third-placed managerless Tottenham despite a charges will complete the job. “Our Chelsea, one point clear of Liverpool recent wobble. campaign has been built on away per- and Leicester, travel to face mid-table “I don’t think it’s over yet,” he said. formances, we just have to stick to our Aston Villa. “I have that optimism and belief that guns,” he said. In mid-March Liverpool were eight AP/RSS if we do our job we can do no more Turkish veteran striker Burak points adrift of fourth place but they Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool are battling with Chelsea and Leicester City for the two remaining places in the next season’s Champions League. than that. It’ll be interesting to see Yilmaz, 35, is Lille’s top scorer with 15 have taken 23 points from the past 27 how it finishes. What we don’t want is goals, compared to the league-leading available and are unbeaten in nine season. “Nobody should expect the after a season played almost entirely top, top finish of the season.” for the door to open for us and for us 26 of Mbappe, but there is a palpable games. “We just found stability, creat- perfect game, like in the sense of an behind closed doors because of the Chelsea seized control of their top- not to walk through it. If we arrive on sense of unity at the club. Lille, bid- ed confidence again or got it back, and early lead and all these kind of coronavirus. four destiny with a crucial 2-1 win 69 points and somehow don’t make it ding to win the title for the first time scored goals in the right moments and things,” warned Klopp, whose side Klopp said having them back was against Leicester on Tuesday. Thomas to the Champions League it has been in a decade, have a budget which is conceded less, let me say it like this,” beat Palace 7-0 in the reverse fixture in the “best news I can imagine” but he Tuchel’s team will be guaranteed to really unfortunate.” smaller than that of Lyon, Marseille Klopp said on Friday. December. “You have to fight for it. I said they must stay patient, even if finish third if they beat Villa, although West Ham only need a point at home and Monaco as well as PSG. But he warned that Liverpool’s respect Crystal Palace too much, what things were not going Liverpool’s way they could also qualify for the to Southampton on Sunday to secure PSG coach Mauricio Pochettino recent good run would mean nothing they want to give Roy in his last game on a nervy final day. “It was an incred- Champions League if they beat sixth place and a Europa League spot. insisted his side will hold their nerve against a determined Palace side led maybe as a manager.” ibly intense season, nothing will Manchester City in the final of this Tottenham can still pip them on goal at Brest who are desperate to avoid by former Anfield boss Roy Hodgson, A total of 10,000 Liverpool fans change that,” Klopp added. “But we season’s tournament on May 29. difference should they beat Leicester being dragged into the relegation who is stepping down at the end of the will be inside Anfield for the match have it now in our hands to make a Tuchel wants Chelsea to finish the and the Hammers lose. play-off spot. “We have to believe it’s possible, do our job by winning our match at Brest and see if Lille run into trouble,” said Pochettino, whose charges will take the title with a win if Lille draw or lose. Serena ‘unlikely to equal slam FIFA to explore possibilities of holding If they are successful, PSG will be crowned French champions for a record-equalling 10th time. record at Roland Garros’ On what could be an enthralling last World Cup every two years day, Niko Kovac’s Monaco, on 77 REUTERS when you play a match for history that points, will hope to qualify for the LONDON, MAY 22 you have to be able to handle. REUTERS the context of the review of the over- Champions League for the first time “I would say that Roland Garros is MANCHESTER, MAY 22 all international match calendar. since 2018. Monaco were beaten 2-0 Serena Williams is unlikely to win a the most difficult because it requires “It doesn’t matter right now what I midweek by PSG in the French Cup record equalling 24th Grand slam title her to be at the top on the physical side FIFA will carry out a feasibility study think, it matters what results the final but former Bayern coach Kovac on the claycourts of Roland Garros, and it doesn’t highlight her qualities on holding the World Cup and the study is coming up with,” he said. “We said his side had already moved on. although her chance will come, the in the same way. But I think on the women’s World Cup every two years have to go into this study with an open “If we win at Lens on Sunday we will American’s long-time coach Patrick other surfaces she will have her after backing a proposal at its annual mind... we know about the value of the have transformed our season into Mouratoglou told Reuters on Friday. chance.” congress on Friday. World Cup believe me, we know as something wonderful,” said Kovac. The French Open, which starts on Three of Williams’ majors have The two competitions are currently well about the impact that the World The south coast side will however May 30, has been the least rewarding come in Paris but her strong serve and held every four years but the Saudi Cup can have.” be looking anxiously over their shoul- of the four majors for Williams, who big ground strokes are blunted by the Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) But Infantino questioned whether ders at Lyon who can still snatch third won the last of her 23 Grand Slam slowness of the claycourts. put forward a proposal for a study of the current system of regular qualifi- place. singles titles at the Australian Open in She will go into the French Open the impact of switching to every two ers throughout a year ahead of a con- Dutch striker Memphis Depay, in 2017. The 39-year-old American has with just a single win on clay this sea- years. tinental championships and World his last game before he becomes a free since reached four Grand Slam finals, son - against 17-year-old Italian Lisa “We believe the future of football is Cups was the best model. agent, vowed he’d help Lyon get three but has failed to match Margaret Pigato, ranked 512th in the world. at a critical juncture. The many issues “Do we really think this is the right points at home to Nice. “The only Court’s long-standing record. She has “If I answer you today I am not that football has faced have now been way for football when we are hearing thing that counts right now is qualify- not been past the fourth round at going to rate her chances really high further exacerbated by the ongoing REUTERS that fans say they want more mean- ing Lyon for the Champions League,” Roland Garros since 2016. because she’s lost the second round in pandemic,” said SAFF president World Cup is held every four years currently. ingful games, less meaningless games, said Depay, who arrived from “Since 2018 she played Grand Slam the last tournament, and first round Yasser Al-Misehal. “It is time to all of these points have to be consid- Manchester United and is tipped to finals on all surfaces other than clay,” the one before,” the Frenchman said. review how the global game is struc- FIFA president Gianni Infantino ered. join Barcelona. “I want to leave here a Mouratoglou, who has been working “So it’s difficult to say that she’s gonna tured and to consider what is best for called it an “eloquent and detailed “We will discuss it, we will analyse mature player who assumed his with the former world number one win Roland Garros. But we still have the future of our sport. This should proposal” with 166 national federa- it but we will, in all discussions, put responsibilities.” since 2012, said in an interview. “When 10 days to work so we got to take the include whether the current four year tions voting in favour with 22 voting the sporting element as a priority not At the bottom, Nimes and Dijon are you are playing Grand Slam finals best out of those 10 days and I know cycle remains the optimum basis for against. the commercial element,” he said, say- already relegated, but there are six you’re not that far from winning it. Of how much work she can do in a short how football is managed both from a Speaking after the congress, ing he knew that holding twice as sides fighting to avoid a relegation course, the last match is always the period of time and how much she can competition and commercial perspec- Infantino told reporters that the study many World Cups would not mean play-off. most difficult. There is this pressure improve.” tive,” he added. would look at the competitions within doubling the revenue. HOROSCOPE ARIES (March 21-April 19) **** CANCER (June 22-July 22) *** LIBRA (September 23-October 22) *** CAPRICORN (December 22-January 19) **** The stories around your intimate relationships are Revel in your need to be a homebody today, Cancer. As a Libra, you devote so much time and energy to The universe is on our side when it comes to making requiring a little more time and devotion today, You’re in the mood to connect with your closest of others. Take Sunday to regroup and focus on your things happen with your career endeavors. This Pisces. Libra moon’s sweet meet-up with Mercury kin to shore up on support. Luna’s connection with own needs. The moon’s presence in your sign helps makes an ideal day for any projects requiring mental makes it easy to strike a balance between head and Mercury helps you process any emotional insights to sync back up with yourself on all levels. energy or communicative efforts. heart. or conversations that have recently emerged.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) *** LEO (July 23-August 22) *** SCORPIO (October 23-November 21) *** AQUARIUS (January 20-February 18) *** Sunday’s skies give you full permission to plow You have things to get off your chest today, Leo. Don’t Scorpio people need ample time alone to reflect upon Stretch your horizons today, Aquarius. Get lost in a ahead with any projects underway, Taurus. involve be shy about sharing your voice- even if it’s journal- their immense, inner emotional reservoir. Let your- movie, pick up a good book, or get in the car and find yourself with any work requiring mental stamina, ling, singing, or confiding in a good friend. You will self take Sunday to sit with those deep waters and an adventure! You’re craving a fresh perspective, and and the written or spoken word. find it easy to communicate clearly and process with see what needs clearing and releasing. the universe is willing to provide you with one if you ease. get out and find it.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21) **** VIRGO (August 23-September 22) **** SAGITTARIUS (November 22-December 21) *** PISCES (February 19-March 20) *** Let yourself enjoy a good time, Gemini. You’re crav- You’re ready to kick things into high gear. Look at Be with your people today, Sagittarius. You need a The stories around your intimate relationships are ing romance, indulgence, and creative opportunities your natural talents and see ways to incorporate reminder that you’re loved and supported, and your requiring a little more time and devotion today, that uplift your spirits. It is an ideal day for any activ- them to increase your earning potential. The Libra community is waiting to show you that. Reach out Pisces. The romantic Libra moon’s sweet meet-up ities that benefit from charisma on your behalf. moon’s alignment with Mercury makes it easy to feel and reconnect with those friends that have slipped with expressive Mercury makes it easy to strike a a restored sense of balance between head and heart. through the cracks of your thinking today. balance between head and heart. CROSSWORD SUDOKU

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION

C M Y K SUNDAY, MAY 23, 2021 | 08 FICTION PARK (C.R.P.D.) - 3/052/053 A servant’s son to the rescue Ganesh was well aware of his parents’ financial state and knew that it was his responsibility to not give them extra burden. CHANDRA KUMAR PHUYAL

t was 6 o’clock in the evening. Bhuwan’s luxurious bungalow in Dillibazar was decorated with col- ourful lights. It was Bhuwan’s only son Rakesh’s eighth birthday. All of Bhuwan’s friends and rela- Itives had come and the mood was festive. The lawn behind the bungalow was deco- rated with gazebos and tents and there was a lavish buffet spread for the guests to indulge in. Inside one of the halls was a huge mul- ti-tiered cake. When all of the guests gathered in the hall, Bhuwan came and handed a huge gift to his son Rakesh, who hurriedly opened it. “Daddy, why did you buy me these old-fashioned clothes as my birthday gift?” shouted Rakesh. “If you couldn’t offer me the latest and the most expensive shoes and clothes, don’t give me any- thing.” Rakesh’s disrespectful reaction took the guests by surprise. An embarrassed Bhuwan cajoled Rakesh into accepting the gift and promised him that he would take him shopping tomorrow. Bhuwan loved his son immensely and as a father, he did everything for him. It was evident to the guests who had gathered there that Rakesh was a spoilt child. Most of what Rakesh rejected, from toys and shoes to clothes, got handed over to Ganesh, whose mother worked as a maid in the Bhuwan household. Ganesh lived with his parents in a makeshift shack provided by Bhuwan. Ganesh and Rakesh are of the same age. One day, UNSPLASH Bhuwan saw the two boys playing togeth- parents’ financial state and knew that it paring for MBBS. of Bhuwan’s cousins suggested to Rakesh er and pulled Ganesh aside and repri- was his responsibility to not give them His hard work paid off when he got a that he take his father to Dharan’s Ghopa manded him for playing with Rakesh. He extra burden. He was determined to study Most of what Rakesh full scholarship to study MBBS at a Hospital. told Ganesh that he was a servant’s son hard and get his parents out of poverty. rejected, from toys reputed medical school in Dharan. He Rakesh flew his father to Dharan and and that he was not worthy of playing Rakesh on the other hand got took his mother and went to live and admitted him at Ghopa Hospital. After with a millionaire’s son. everything he ever wanted. He led a com- and shoes to clothes, study in Dharan. During his time there, several days of staying in the hospital, Bhuwan’s words hurt Ganesh immense- fortable life. His father bought him all the Ganesh met many kind-hearted people Bhuwan gained consciousness and his ly. This experience made Ganesh aware of latest gadgets, took him on outings every got handed over who after learning his story helped him health started improving. When he was how the society treated poor people. weekend and during winter and summer financially. well enough to walk, he requested to meet Ganesh’s father told him not to take breaks, the father and son would go to Ganesh. On the other hand, Rakesh, after finish- the doctor who had looked after him. Bhuwan’s words to his heart. abroad on holidays. Bhuwan, who ing his high school, joined politics and When the doctor walked in inside the “Education is your only way out of this was a politician, had enough money to became an active member of a political private cabin, Bhuwan immediately rec- poverty. Focus on your studies, son,” he spoil his son. met with an accident at work. The acci- party’s student wing. His role there ognised that the doctor was none other told Ganesh. On most weekends, Ganesh would dent severely damaged his spinal cord. He included organising protests and enforc- than Ganesh. He suddenly remembered Unlike Rakesh, Ganesh was a hard- accompany his father, a daily wage was rushed to a hospital where the doc- ing shutdowns. He was jailed many times. how he ill-treated Ganesh when he was a working student. He went to a govern- labourer, to construction sites and work. tors informed Ganesh that his father As years passed, Rakesh climbed the little boy. The realisation filled Bhuwan’s ment school and Rakesh attended one of Whatever money he made, he handed it to would have to undergo a surgery as political ladder and eventually became a heart with guilt and he broke down in Kathmandu’s leading private schools. his father. When there was no work, soon as possible. Unable to afford treat- well-known figure in national politics. front of Ganesh and begged for his for- Rakesh would go to his school in his Ganesh would go to a nearby playground ment, Ganesh’s father passed away a few One day Rakesh’s father Bhuwan giveness. father’s SUV and Ganesh would walk to and play with other kids. His active days later. became seriously ill. He was taken to Bhuwan profusely thanked Ganesh and school wearing his worn out shoes. lifestyle made Ganesh physically This left a deep impression on Ganesh’s Kathmandu’s leading hospital. The doc- told him that after all these years of pray- On days when his parents didn’t have fit and strong. mind. He made it his life’s mission to tors there were unable to cure him. He ing to God, he found him in his former money, Ganesh would go to school with- Despite all the challenges, Ganesh become a doctor and started spent the next few months visiting all the servant’s son. out a tiffin yet he never complained about graduated school with flying colours. working hard to achieve his goal. After leading hospitals in Kathmandu but none it to his parents. He was well aware of his Right after he graduated, Ganesh’s father finishing high school, Ganesh started pre- of the doctors were able to help him. One Phyual is a teacher and freelance writer.

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