Professional Documents
Culture Documents
The authorities that were too slow to recognise the looming threat seem to have
given up the fight against the virus, public health experts say.
ARJUN POUDEL waiting for their turn to give samples. ment is making serious attempts to
KATHMANDU, SEPT 23 They were waiting without food. respond to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We decided to collect money on our The Health Ministry was conduct-
On Tuesday, doctors at Sukraraj own so that we could provide some ing around 10,000 tests, on average,
Tropical and Infectious Disease food to them,” said Dr Sagar across the country, but the number
Hospital decided to take matters into Rajbhandari, director at the hospital. over the past few days has come down.
their own hands as people in an over- “We felt really bad that there were Public health experts say that with
whelming number stood in queue for small children waiting in line for the risk level rising, the number of
hours to get tested for Covid-19. days.” tests should have increased. But the
Doctors said they were by and large With whatever money that was col- authorities seem to have surrendered
helpless as hundreds of people were lected, according to Rajbhandari, noo- now, according to them.
spending nights on the hospital prem- dles and beaten rice were provided. “We are heading towards a catastro-
ises, under staircases and the passage, One way to address the situation phe and the government seems to be
was increasing the number of absolutely apathetic towards such a
tests so that people would give looming crisis,” said a member of the
swabs and go home as early as Nepal Medical Council requesting
possible. anonymity because he was concerned
Even though the hospital labo- about getting into a controversy.
ratory can test only 300 swabs a “The number of tests performed
day, it started collecting 600. since the restrictions were lifted
But regardless of the situation has drastically gone down. To make
in the government hospital, the matters worse, the government has
number of overall tests—poly- not done anything to make contact
merase chain reaction tests— tracing effective. This clearly shows
across the country over the past the government has given up the fight
few days has gone down, raising against Covid-19.”
concerns whether the govern- >> Continued on page 2
C M Y K
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2020 | 02
NATIONAL
Supreme Court blocks Bamdev Gautam’s way ... Begam, Roma Thapa, Bindu Rawal,
Kabita Joshi, Ritu Kanaujiya, Sarita
Magar and Kajal Shrestha fall under
bridging the gap. In Nepal, cricket
lately has gained immense popularity
and both men and women teams have
er, defended the move, saying it is but
natural for male cricketers to receive
more in remuneration than their
>> Continued from page 1 may allow him to become a minister In the nine-member Secretariat of grade ‘B.’ The grade ‘C’ players are been faring well. female counterparts.
The bench has scheduled another as he has already taken the oath as a the ruling party, whichever side Kabita Kunwar, Dolly Bhatta, Men’s team, however, usually gets In the grading for year 2020, men’s
hearing for September 30. member of the Assembly. Gautam stayed had become crucial, as Anuradha Chaudhary, Sonu Khadka, more attention when they play inter- cricket team captain Gyanendra
Though Gautam is not the first per- Shrestha, who is also the spokesper- the Oli and Dahal factions had four Anjali Chand and Shova Ale. national tournaments compared to Malla, former captain Paras Khadka,
son to reach the National Assembly son for the ruling Nepal Communist members each in their camps. Nation women team captain women. Sandeep Lamichhane, Sharad
despite losing the elections, the route Party, refused to comment on the Claiming that Gautam’s appoint- Chhetry, however, hailed the move as a While the men’s national team has Vesawkar, Karan KC, Basanta Regmi,
through which he was taken to the Supreme Court’s order, saying ment violates the spirit of the consti- step forward. quite some international matches Dipendra Singh Airee and Binod
upper house has given rise to some Gautam’s lawyers will put forth their tution and obstructs the constitution- “It is a good start that women crick- lined up for them, women players have Bhandari have been categorised as
constitutional questions. views during the next hearing on al process, advocate Tripathi had eters have been awarded central con- to wait in their wings until qualifiers grade ‘A’ players.
Earlier on March 4, Narayan Kaji September 30. demanded an interim order not to tracts for the first time. This move will are held. The ‘B’ grade players include Susan
Shrestha took the oath as a member of “We don’t have any comments on implement the decision. be quite helpful in motivating the Cricketers themselves believe that Bhari, Sompal Kami, Pawan Sarraf
the Assembly. He too had lost the 2017 behalf of the party,” said Shrestha. While appealing for ensuring a players,” Chhetry told the Post. “This the governing body needs to work and Aarif Sheikh. Subash Khakurel,
elections from Gorkha Constituency 2. “Defendants in the case would put standard for the people who are nomi- contract should have been awarded a more to promote female players Rohit Paudel, Kushal Malla, Rashid
He, however, was fielded by his Nepal forth their views before the bench on nated to the upper house, Tripathi has long time ago, but I would say it’s bet- Chhetri, the former men’s team cap- Khan, Abhinash Bohara and Kamal
Communist Party from Gandaki the set date.” also demanded an interim order to ter late than never.” tain, said the authorities who govern Singh Airee have been listed as grade
Province for the National Assembly. The ruling party has decided to stop Gautam’s appointment as a min- She refused to comment on the gen- Nepali cricket must understand that ‘C’ players.
Though questions were raised against defend Gautam in the court as regards ister. “I have also demanded the der pay gap, saying “it’s not the right women players too can perform on par “Whoever plays more games will
the ruling party’s move to field a per- the writ against the party’s decision to Supreme Court direct the government time to compare such things.” with their male counterparts and that definitely get more in salary. There
son who had lost the election, the recommend the President that she to set the criteria for the people who “We hope to have some improve- they deserve equal promotion. are few women tournaments com-
matter had not reached the court. appoint Gautam as a National are appointed by the President to the ments in the future,” she told “Women cricketers have always pared to male tournaments at the
Even as the constitution does not Assembly member. For the govern- upper house,” said Tripathi. the Post. “There are many senior play- been under the shadow of the male international level,” Pyakurel told the
say anything explicitly on whether a ment, which made the recommenda- As per constitutional provisions, ers who are in their latter stage of cricketers and the central contracts Post. “Moreover, one must take this
person having lost the election can be tion, the Office of the Attorney the President nominates three mem- their career. They have given their are a good example of how women are announcement in a good light, as at
elected or nominated to the Assembly, General will argue on Gautam’s bers to the 59-member National prime youth to the sport. It would be discriminated against,” Chhetri told least women cricketers are now being
there is a lack of clarity when it comes behalf. Gautam was nominated to the Assembly, including a woman, on the good if the governing body thinks the Post. “While there is equality in recognised and being paid, as they
to such a person becoming a minister. lone vacant seat in the National recommendation of the Council of about their future when they hang payments when men and women work were not getting anything in salary
Experts on constitutional affairs Assembly after Yubaraj Khatiwada’s Ministers. their boots.” anywhere else, why this discrimina- before.”
have their opinions divided on wheth- two-year term ended on March 3. The President had appointed Ram So far, what all women players used tion when it comes to sports? Women According to Pyakurel, players
er persons like Gautam, who were Nepal Communist Party chair and Narayan Bidari, Bimala Rai Poudyal to earn was stipends–up to $35 a day cricketers to make the country proud must be hopeful that the amount will
rejected by the people, can become a Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, whose and Khatiwada to the National when they participated in interna- when they compete in the internation- go up in near future. “As we have more
minister. position had become tenuous amid Assembly in 2018 as per Article 86 2(b) tional tournaments. Domestic tourna- al games.” resources, we will definitely like to
Article 78 (4) of the Constitution of growing pressure from the faction led which states that three members con- ments, which are few and far between, According to Chhetri, such dispari- give a salary hike to players,” said
Nepal bars Gautam from going to the by the other chair—Pushpa Kamal sisting of at least one woman should however, used to fetch them nominal ty can cause inferiority complex Pyakurel. “We actually wish women
Cabinet for having lost the 2017 parlia- Dahal—to resign, had agreed to take be nominated by the President on the money as a match fee. among female players and discourage cricketers should get more in salary
mentary elections, but Article 76 (9) Gautam to the Assembly. recommendation of the government. Gender pay disparity has been a new talents from entering the game. than their male counterparts.”
As Covid-19 cases soar, test numbers are declining and contact tracing ...
>> Continued from page 1 er, said the government has not take the final decision,” said Gautam. on July 21.
Since the restrictions were eased, reduced the number of tests. “The number of active cases will cross Across the lockdown, the number of
Kathmandu Valley has seen an “The government performs tests on 25,000 only if daily cases reach around cases rose from two to more than
increased public mobility. Public vehi- the basis of need,” Gautam told the 2,000.” There were 17,414 active cases 17,000. After the lockdown was lifted,
cles are allowed to operate saying they Post. “The government cannot per- throughout the country as of cases started to rise at an alarming
should follow certain safety protocols, form tests on all those who want to get Wednesday. rate, forcing the government to impose
but monitoring has been lax. As long- tested. This is not necessary also.” Public health experts say the gov- restrictions, this time through the
haul public transport too has resumed, As of Wednesday, 67,804 people from ernment was never serious about orders of chief district officers.
an increased public movement is across the country have tested positive Covid-19 and it is still failing to recog- Kathmandu Valley’s case, according
expected soon in view of the festival for Covid-19. The death toll has nise the risk that the pandemic poses to public health experts, proves that
season. reached 436. to the society and the larger impact it restrictions are not a solution to the
It has now become clear that the In the last 24 hours, 1,172 people can have on the entire country. contagion and that authorities must
government, which never took any tested positive for the coronavirus. “From the very beginning, we were rely on science–testing, tracing and
serious effort to fight the pandemic, Among them, 637 are from Kathmandu clear that the country will face such a isolating–in the fight against the
has no plans to respond to the disease, Valley. serious condition, as authorities were virus. “Authorities in Nepal always
according to public health experts. The Health Ministry said 49,954 peo- refusing to comprehend the virus misled the general public with mis-
Doctors say that increasing tests ple have recovered so far, which is 73. risk,” said Dr Govinda Prasad Ojha, truths. They kept on saying that the
and ensuring effective contact tracing 7 percent of the total cases. POST PHOTO: ANGAD DHAKAL former director general at the coronavirus will never enter the coun-
and isolation of the infected people While the government does not People queue up in front of Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital on Wednesday Department of Health Services. try because it is the land of Lord
will be crucial in lessening the infec- seem to have any plans to increase the to get tested for Covid-19. When the government imposed the Pashupatinaht,” said Ojha.
tion rate. However, the authorities number of tests, it is planning yet lockdown on March 24, there was no “After nine months since the first
have neither increased the number of another lockdown. number of active cases crossed 25,000. Wednesday morning took the decision particular plan as to how it was going case was reported, the country is in a
tests nor paid any heed to contact trac- The Health Ministry has decided to According to spokesperson Gautam, to that effect. to use the period to respond to the difficult situation, unable to fight the
ing. Dr Jageshwor Gautam, spokes- recommend the government enforce a a meeting of the incident command “It is the Health Ministry’s recom- outbreak. After four months, the gov- virus. And the authorities seem to
person for the Health Ministry, howev- nation-wide lockdown again if the system of the Health Ministry held on mendation; it is up to the Cabinet to ernment suddenly lifted the lockdown have left everything on god.”
C M Y K
03 | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2020
NATIONAL
Cabinet reshuffle
unlikely before
Dashain as Oli has
other pressing issues
Prime Minister Oli has other tasks at hand like picking the
nominees for various constitutional bodies and
universities and concluding the party unification.
ANIL GIRI circle that he would keep some
KATHMANDU, SEPT 23 ministers even though they have
served more than two years as they
The much touted Cabinet reshuffle, extended support to him when he
which is currently being discussed at faced trouble in the party.
the top level of the Nepal Communist At least 30 Standing Committee
Party, is unlikely to happen before members had sought Oli’s resignation
Dashain or October 26 as the ruling both as prime minister and party
party has two more pressing tasks, chairman as Dahal and another
according to leaders. senior leader Madhav Kumar Nepal POST PHOTO: BEEJU MAHARJAN
Before making a final move on led the campaign against him. A teacher at Shree Rudrayanee Secondary School in Khokana, Lalitpur, conducts a virtual class from the school’s classroom on Wednesday. Students who do not have
Cabinet reshuffle, the party has to If Oli prevails against Dahal, he internet access at their homes have been allowed to come to the school to attend their classes.
complete the remaining tasks of unifi- probably will give continuity to
cation and make crucial appointments Defence Minister Ishwar Pokhrel,
to the constitutional bodies and uni- Home Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa,
BRIEFING Shops are not getting customers even during festival season
Landslide in Muglin road
CHITWAN: The Char Kilo area in
Since Covid-19 has severely decreased the purchasing power of consumers, shops and businesses are struggling to survive.
Narayangadh-Muglin road section
witnessed a landslide at 4:30pm on ANUP OJHA his village in Sindhupalchok during them, 492 were confirmed in
Wednesday, according to the District KATHMANDU, SEPT 23 the lockdown that started from Kathmandu, 95 in Bhaktapur and 50 in
Traffic Police Office in Chitwan. March 24. Lalitpur.
Vehicles bound for Kathmandu, Bijendra Mandal did not open his “I have made a record daily sale of As of Wednesday, the number of
Pokhara and Narayangadh from vari- shop on Wednesday even though it is Rs400,000 during one of the festival cases in the Valley has reached 18,574.
ous parts of the country were stuck peak Dashain festival shopping seasons in the past. This year though A total of 16,076 cases were detected
due to the landslide. Police said they season. it is hard to even do a transaction after the three district administration
were having difficulties clearing the These days the business is just not worth Rs50,000.” offices in Kathmandu Valley imposed
landslide debris from the road section there, says the 52-year-old who sells Paudel too has rents to pay, family to prohibitory orders starting August 19
due to continuous rainfall. bed sheets at Makhan Galli. look after and loans to pay. The cur- midnight.
Meanwhile, traffic long Prithvi After closing his shop for months rent business climate is not helping If the Covid-19 crisis saw no signs
Highway came to a halt throughout due to the Covid-19 lockdown and pro- him in any way. of improvement, there is a risk of
Wednesday after two containers were hibitory orders, Mandal opened his Naresh Katwal, president of Nepal more businesses folding in the coming
trapped in a landslide at Galaudi in wholesale shop only last week. He had National Traders Federation, says days.
Gajuri Rural Municipality, Dhading. hoped with the Dashain festival just a while there is no data regarding the According to Covid-19 Tourism
month away there would be a heavy loss caused by the pandemic on shops Business Disaster Committee, formed
footfall of shoppers. But only a few and businesses, the Covid-19 impact under the Thamel Tourism
37 kg hashish seized people are out shopping this year. on every business area has been pro- Development Council, 270 travel and
KAPIlVASTU: Police seized 37 kg Many shops are not even getting a foundly deleterious. tour agencies, clothes shops, curio
hashish from Krishnanagar in single customer throughout the day. “The purchasing power of consum- shops, restaurants and hotels have
Kapilvastu district on Wednesday. “Not a single customer visited my ers has taken a serious blow as many closed by July.
Shanti Tamang of Makwanpur and shop on Tuesday. I opened my shop people have lost their jobs due to clo- There is no data on the closure of
Basanti Gharti of Rolpa were caught and waited all day,” said Mandal. sure of industries or private compa- shops and businesses in other parts of
as they were smuggling the hashish He was in his village in Mahottari nies. In such a situation, businesses the Valley. But the figure is estimated
to India. Police said the two women during the four-month long coronavi- are bound to fail,” said Katwal. to be in hundreds.
were smuggling the hashish in their rus lockdown. He returned only Sangita Shrestha, a 44-year-old “One could see many shops and
luggage. recently and opened his shop after the POST FILE PHOTO mother of two, says she has convinced shop spaces with ‘for sale’ and ‘to let’
three district administration offices Many shops in Kathmandu are struggling to attract even a single customer these days. her two children to wear their last notices these days. The pandemic has
of Kathmandu Valley eased the pro- year’s clothes. ruined many shops and businesses,”
Four shops sealed for selling hibitory orders. I also need to pay the rent for my flat Sunil Paudel, who sells kitchenware “I am not going Dashain shopping said Dhanapati Sapkota, chief of the
“I returned with the hope of doing in Old Baneshwor. On top of that, I and home appliances at Chabahil, says this year. My husband did not get his Implementation Division at the
petroleum products illegally some business ahead of the festival. also need to clear my own credit for his daily business transaction has salary for four months and we are Kathmandu Metropolitan City. “Shops
RUKUM (WEST): Chaurjahari Besides, I also have to collect pay- the items I had purchased off some of taken a nosedive since the pandemic. struggling to pay the rent and buy are being sold because the people no
Municipality in Rukum (West) sealed ments from some retailers who had my regular dealers,” Mandal said. After closing his shop for months, food. This time we are only focused on longer can pay the rent because they
four shops for the illegal sale of purchased goods from my shop on In festival season during normal he too was hoping to earn some money buying essential items,” said Shrestha, are not doing any business.”
petroleum products on Wednesday. credit,” said Mandal. times, Mandal used to do transactions during this festival season. So far, he who lives in Kuleshwor with her hus- Mandal, the bed sheet seller from
Ram Bahadur KC, acting chief Since the pandemic and the subse- worth up to Rs40,000 in a single day. says the business has been a disap- band and their two children. Makhan Galli, says if everything fails
administrative officer at the local quent lockdown have hit all business- This year has been a bad one for him pointment. The fear of coronavirus transmis- he will have no option than to close his
unit, said those shops were closed as es, Mandal has little hope of recover- and all other businesses. After his business took an unprece- sion has also lent to the fact that peo- shop. “Right now, I would be a relieved
they were found selling petroleum ing the credit. He says he cannot even The Covid-19 pandemic has led to a dented dip, Paudel has put two of his ple are not going out shopping for the man if only I could collect the money I
products without taking permission pay his shop rent if things stayed the severe economic contraction, job loss- staff on unpaid leave. festival this year. owe and pay off my credit. I have been
from the local body. According to him, same in the coming days. es and closure of businesses. People’s “I thought the situation would be According to the Ministry of Health in this business for nearly a decade
the municipal officials have been “I will have to close my shop for spending power has decreased and normal before the festival, but things and Population, on Wednesday now and over the years I have learnt
monitoring the market in all 12 good. I cannot continue to pay the apparently even the festival season are getting worse by the day,” said Kathmandu Valley reached 637 new that at the end of the day it is loyalty
wards. shop rent without doing any business. has failed to cheer them this time. Paudel, who like Mandal had gone to infections in the past 24 hours. Of that counts,” he said.
C M Y K
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2020 | 04
OPINION
C M Y K
05 | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2020
MONEY
Nepal’s orthodox tea gets its own trademark Gold hits six-week low
The trademark includes the words ‘Nepal Tea Quality from the Himalaya’ and is the country’s first brand of agri produce.
BIPLAV BHATTARAI market. “We have to produce more
as dollar grinds higher
ILAM, SEPT 23 organic tea.”
According to the board, among the
Nepal’s orthodox tea got its own trade- 12 factories that have obtained the
mark on Tuesday, 157 years after the certificates, nine are from Ilam—
country started growing it. Sandakphu Tea Processors,
The trademark includes the words Himalayan Shangri La Tea Producers,
‘Nepal Tea Quality from the Himalaya’. High Hill Tea Producer Cooperative
Launched two years ago and formally Society, Jasbire Tea Prasodhan,
executed on Tuesday, it is the first Gorkha Tea Estate, Nepal Green Tea
brand of agriculture produce in the and Speciality Tea, Oasis Tea
country. Industries, Taragaun Tea Estate and
The trademark is expected to help Sakejung Hill Range Tea Processing
Nepal brand and market its tea, which Industry.
has been facing an identity crisis for Two of the factories—Bokre Dada
over a century, in the international Orthodox Chiya Prasodhan Udhyog
market. and Singhadevi Tea Producers REUTERS
Minister for Agriculture and Cooperative—are from Tehrathum, A worker sorts gold bars in the Austrian Gold and Silver Separating Plant in Vienna, Austria.
Livestock Development Ghanashyam and one factory—Sagarmatha Tea
Bhusal handed over the trademark Estate—is from Sankhuwasabha. REUTERS said OANDA analyst Craig Erlam.
certificates to 12 tea factories and POST PHOTO: BIPLAV BHATTARAI Tea is grown in Nepal at elevations NEW YORK, SEPT 23 But even if it does, the near-term
cooperatives in Fikkal, Ilam on Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development Ghanashyam Bhusal (second right) hands ranging from 800 to 2,200 metres above outlook isn’t good for gold with a
Tuesday which have adhered to the over a trademark certificate to a tea producer in Fikkal, Ilam on Tuesday. sea level. Previously, production was Gold dropped to a six-week low on stronger dollar weighing on the out-
Nepal Orthodox Tea Certification centred in a few districts like Ilam and Wednesday as the dollar held onto its look and a lot of the bullish factors
Trademark Directive 2018. mark but only 12 qualified based on modities. We will soon be introducing Jhapa in eastern Nepal. Of late, tea recent rally, while a lack of additional already priced in, he added.
Trademark is basically registering the code of conduct for producing the international trademark of Nepali gardens have been flourishing in stimulus to aid the recovery of the Comments from Chicago US Federal
a brand name. Now it is possible to organic tea. ginger.” other parts of the country too. coronavirus-battered global economy Reserve President Charles Evans, who
have the legal right to stop someone “This is the beginning. Other pro- Nepal has a long history of tea cul- Currently, the tea acreage totals 28,700 further weighed on sentiment. said interest rates could be raised
else from using the same or similar ducers will also soon get the certifi- tivation. The first Ilam Tea Estate in hectares. Spot gold fell 0.8 percent to $1,884.51 before inflation averages 2 percent,
brand as the one that has been regis- cate if they fulfil the requirements.” the hills of Ilam district was initiated Nepal produces around 6,097 tonnes per ounce by 1157 GMT, after earlier also weighed on sentiment by weaken-
tered. Trademark serves as a defence He added that the trademark would in 1863. Historians believe that the of orthodox tea annually in the hills. dropping 1.4 percent to touch its low- ing inflation expectations and lifting
mechanism to protect a brand from help traders gain international mar- first tea bushes in Nepal were grown It also produces 19,108 tonnes of est since August 12 at $1,873.01. US US real yields.
loss of reputation, and has the poten- ket access. Tea producers said that a from seeds which were given as a gift crush-tear-curl (CTC) tea, known for gold futures were down 0.9 percent to Gold has turned “passive”, having
tial to increase in value as an intangi- decade-long discussion regarding by the Chinese emperor to the then its strong and bright appearance, in $1,891.30 per ounce. priced all of the favourable factors
ble asset. implementation of the Nepal tea prime minister Jung Bahadur Rana. the lowlands of the Tarai. According “As long as we see strength in the already and now needs inflation to
Nepali orthodox tea has been gain- trademark had been resolved. The col- It is believed that tea plantations in to the Trade and Export Promotion dollar, undoubtedly we are also going emerge and a weaker dollar to attract
ing popularity in the international lective trademark will work as a tool Nepal started within the same decade, Centre, Nepal’s tea exports saw a 13.14 to see gold struggle,” said Saxo Bank renewed demand, said Saxo Bank’s
market because of its quality, aroma, to brand the product abroad, and help when it was introduced in the percent drop to Rs2.78 billion in the analyst Ole Hansen, adding that the Hansen. Non-yielding gold is often
taste and aftertaste. But other popular Nepali tea producers to expand their Darjeeling Hills of India. last fiscal year 2019-20 from Rs3.20 bil- break below $1,900 sparked some nerv- seen as a hedge against inflation and
tea brands, such as Darjeeling tea, footprint in the global orthodox tea In 1965, a second tea plantation, lion in the previous fiscal year. ousness and short-selling in the mar- currency weakening.
overshadow the Nepali product abroad market, they said. Soktim Tea Estate, was set up in the The National Tea and Coffee ket. The dollar index hit an eight-week Silver fell 4.1 percent to $23.41 per
due to lack of branding, according to “With the implementation of the plains of Jhapa district. Development Board said shipments high, dimming the appeal of bullion to ounce, having hit a nearly two-month
Nepali traders. trademark, it has opened the door for Province 1 Minister for Land fell mainly due to increased domestic holders of other currencies. low of $23.04 earlier in the session.
Bishnu Prasad Bhattarai, executive Nepali traders to market their prod- Management, Agriculture and consumption of orthodox tea in recent “I think gold has entered a correc- Platinum shed 0.7 percent to $861.08
director of the National Tea and ucts in the international market,” said Cooperatives Ram Bahadur Magar years, inability to meet the latest tea tive phase...A break-back above $1,900 per ounce, earlier touching its lowest
Coffee Development Board, said 42 Bhusal. “Tea is the first product to get said that execution of the trademark standards set by the international should be difficult given how long its since July 21 at $845.50, and palladium
factories had applied for the trade- a trademark among agricultural com- alone would not improve Nepal’s tea market and lack of branding. taken to break and hold below here,” was little changed at $2,220.57.
FOREX
US Dollar 118.02
Nike shakes off pandemic Covid-19 slashes global income from
Euro
Pound Sterling
138.25
150.30
blues with online sales work by a tenth, UN data shows
Japanese Yen 11.24
ASSOCIATED PRESS ing economies, especially those in
Chinese Yuan 17.39 NEW YORK, SEPT 23
Nike’s digital sales informal employment, had been
affected to a much greater extent than
Qatari Riyal 32.40 Nike appears to have recovered from
its pandemic slump, posting a solid
rose 82 percent, in past crises, the United Nations
agency said. It added that a decline
Australian Dollar 84.15
quarterly profit driven by soaring helping offset in employment numbers had
Malaysian Ringit 28.41 online sales of its sneakers and work- generally been greater for women
GASOLINE WATCH
C M Y K
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2020 | 06
WORLD
C M Y K
07 | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2020
SPORTS | MEDLEY
BRIEFING
Leeds United to sign defender
Man United reach last 16 as virus hits football’s heart
Llorente from Real Sociedad Red Devils beat Luton 3-0 while West Ham thump Hull 5-1. Tottenham Hotspurs’ match with Leyton Orient postponed as opponents suffer Covid outbreak.
LEEDS: Leeds United have reached an
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE when George Moncur fouled Brandon
agreement to sign Spanish defender
LONDON, SEPT 23 Williams and Juan Mata dispatched
Diego Llorente from Real Sociedad,
the penalty.
the La Liga club have said. Financial
Manchester United moved into the Henderson is hoping to replace the
details of the agreement were not dis-
League Cup fourth round with a 3-0 error-prone David De Gea after an
closed but British media reported
win at Luton, while West Ham boss impressive loan at Sheffield United
Leeds would shell out up to 20 million
David Moyes and two of his players last season. He preserved United’s
pounds for the 27-year-old centre
contracted the coronavirus ahead of advantage with his only save of the
back. “Real Sociedad and Leeds
their 5-1 victory against Hull as the match in the final minutes, keeping
United have reached an agreement in
pandemic caused chaos on Tuesday. out Tom Lockyer’s header at the far
principle for the transfer of Diego
Moyes, Josh Cullen and Issa Diop all post. Marcus Rashford came off the
Llorente. The final agreement is sub-
left the London Stadium after learn- bench to net in the 88th minute before
ject to the player’s medical test,” the
ing of the tests before kick-off and fellow substitute Mason Greenwood’s
club said in a statement. Llorente
will self-isolate, with the trio said to be stoppage-time goal put a flattering
began his pro career at Real Madrid
asymptomatic. West Ham were not the gloss on the scoreline. “Going through
but failed to cement a spot in the first
only Premier League club affected by is the big thing. There are some posi-
team and joined Sociedad in 2017. He
the virus as Tottenham’s tie at Leyton tives, the keeper does his job and we
made 30 appearances for Imanol
Orient was postponed after their scored some nice goals towards the
Alguacil’s side last season.
fourth tier opponents suffered a Covid- end,” said Solskjaer, whose side will
19 outbreak. travel to Brighton or Preston in the
Canadian Bianca Andreescu West Ham’s match went ahead as fourth round.
planned despite the virus tests, with Tottenham’s clash with Orient has
pulls out from French Open assistant manager Alan Irvine taking yet to be rearranged amid reports Jose
PARIS: Canada’s Bianca Andreescu charge of the Hammers. “At 20 past six Mourinho’s men could be given a bye
has pulled out of the French Open we suddenly got some information into the last 16. Orient had revealed
and will take the rest of the season from our doctor and head physio to the positive cases on Monday after
off to focus on her recuperation, the say there were three positive tests, the Tottenham paid for their opponents’
world number seven said on Tuesday. manager and the two players,” Irvine testing, but the match was not called
Andreescu, who did not defend her said. “We’d had contact insofar as we off until two hours before kick-off.
2019 US Open crown in New York this were in the same area of the stadium “If I was doing this again I would
year, has not played on tour since the as David. We were shocked by the not do the testing - this is an incentive
WTA Finals in Shenzhen last year news. We’ve had so many tests and not not to test and that is bad for football
where she retired with a knee injury had any positive. But we’ve been very and bad for health and safety,” Orient
that also kept her out of the particular about protocol right from chairman Nigel Travis told the BBC.
Australian Open in January. “I have the start.” West Bromwich Albion crashed out
come to the difficult decision to skip Sebastien Haller and Andriy against second tier Brentford, losing
the clay court swing this year and Yarmolenko both struck twice for 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw at the
will be taking the remainder of the West Ham after Robert Snodgrass AP/RSS Hawthorns.Grady Diangana was the
season off to focus on my health and opened the scoring. West Ham’s Robert Snodgrass (left) scores against Hull to win 5-1 despite boss David Moyes and two players testing positive for coronavirus. only Albion player to miss in the
training,” Andreescu said in a state- The news of the virus striking at shoot-out and Christian Norgaard net-
ment. The French Open begins on football’s heart came after British ums in October as originally planned bounced back from a dismal 3-1 home boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made 10 ted Brentford’s winner. Newport
Sunday. Prime Minster Boris Johnson dealt a due to a spike in virus cases, measures defeat against Crystal Palace in their changes, giving full debuts to goal- reached the competition’s last 16 for
major blow to the sport’s financial that will remain in place for “perhaps Premier League opener on Saturday. keeper Dean Henderson and close-sea- the first time in their history as the
future on Tuesday. Johnson said fans six months”. In United’s first meeting with son signing Donny Van De Beek. fourth tier side beat Championship
Leipzig rope in Sorloth from would not be allowed back into stadi- At Kenilworth Road, United Championship side Luton since 1992, United went ahead in the 44th minute club Watford 3-1.
Premier League’s Palace
LEIPZIG: RB Leipzig have signed
HOROSCOPE
ARIES (March 21-April 19) *** CANCER (June 22-July 22) ** LIBRA (September 23-October 22) *** CAPRICORN (December 22-January 19) ***
There seems to be a trend going on around you. There are some issues brewing around your home, You have an extra-strong appreciation of beauty Try to welcome today’s challenges with open arms.
People are using their charm to get what they want but they won’t come to the surface until later. The today, so it’s a wonderful time to enjoy those things After all, it’s not the sunny days and great times that
while you are doing things the old-fashioned way. problem could have something to do with your home’s you find most beautiful. Flowers, art, and nature bring life’s most important lessons. It’s the obstacles
Instead of getting yourself all upset over this unfair- physical structure, but it could just as easily have will be especially welcome to your wide-open, and the unpleasant surprises that help you see what
ness, why not consider joining the game? something to do with the bond between the people. receptive eyes. you’re really made of.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20) *** LEO (July 23-August 22) **** SCORPIO (October 23-November 21) **** AQUARIUS (January 20-February 18) ***
You’ve got the kind of energy that some people might Public opinion is strongly on your side right now. As you acquire an increased awareness of the world New energy is coming your way in the form of a very
find intimidating right now, yet they just won’t be Pretty much anything you suggest, no matter how around you, you will also be privy to an increased charming person from a different culture. Their ges-
able to stay away. People want to connect with you outlandish or odd it might seem, will be adopted and awareness of problems. You have the feeling, more tures of kindness and words or wisdom will make you
more than ever now, and the way you’re shining, it’s accepted. This places you in an ideal position to lead and more, that you have an important responsibility feel valued and respected. You will also feel empow-
no mystery why. your friends toward the right option. to be part of the solution to the problem. ered by the trust they’ve obviously put into you.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21) *** VIRGO (August 23-September 22) **** SAGITTARIUS (November 22-December 21) *** PISCES (February 19-March 20) ***
Letting things go today will make you feel good. This Deep and meaningful conversations are nice to have, They say that laughter is the best medicine, but There are many different paths for you to follow, but
is a great day to lighten your emotional load and say but today you’re itching for more of an interaction. sometimes medicine is the best medicine! Make sure don’t waste your time trying to figure out which one
farewell to grudges, anger, and control issues. Step Disagreements could be over trivial, fun matters, but you’re up to date on your health. Your happiness and to take. You can’t pick a path today. It will pick you!
back from all the decision-making responsibilities they’ll provide you with excellent practice as to how emotional health can be affected by your physical And don’t be disappointed if the stars say that you
you have held onto for so long. to plead your case. health, so take care of yourself. need to continue on the path you’re already on.
CROSSWORD SUDOKU
YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION
C M Y K
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2020 | 08
ANKIT KHADGI ex-volunteers at Peace Corps, who were they can somehow control the problems archiving the old photos has, as during schools, where they exhibited various
KATHMANDU ready to share their photos from private of stealing. the time of necessity the photos can be of photos to the students so they could vis-
T
collections. At a glance, while these photos can be a great use,” says the admin. ually relate to the country’s history.
rolleybuses moving on the One thing led to another, or rather one source of amusement for people, accord- In Nepal, few attempts have been made “It was amazing to see the response
roads of Kathmandu. contact led to another, and six years later, ing to the admin, their collections have in digitising and democratising old pho- from the children. Not only were they
The milk-white colossal they have collected almost 60,000 photos been a great help for people from all tos at an institutional level. Although enjoying it visually, but the photos provid-
Dharahara standing in all its from almost 700 contributors who have spheres of life. Madan Puraskar Pustakalaya paved the ed them with an opportunity to observe
glory at Sundhara. Lush helped record Nepal’s history from 1853 to way for archiving old, rare memories, it and understand the changes that have
green farms surrounding the the 1990s. was through Nepal Picture Library, an taken place in Nepal,” says the admin.
Boudhanath stupa. A pristine turquoise But working in the digital archiving of In Nepal, few attempts initiative of Photo Circle, that a Currently, the page is being run by a
river flowing next to Beni Bazar. old photos while remaining anonymous is successful consortium of preserving and group of four, who dedicate their time to
All these are now just images, locked in tough. However, according to the admin, have been made in promoting such historical resources was the collection and dissemination of the
distant memory. Before ‘urbanization’ the support from their contributors is the possible. images. While their efforts are serving as
and ‘development’ took over, Kathmandu driving force that has helped them in the digitising old photos at However, unlike the two, what makes a repository to the old vintage photos, for
was a dream, often visited by backpack- archiving process. this page is different and unique in its them their work is more important than
ers, who through their cameras captured “We have a group of professors, former an institutional level. approach is its use of social media and their names.
the beauty of the valley which was then Peace Corp volunteers, travellers, who how it has democratised the old and his- “We even don’t share personal details
relatively untouched. Many of those pic- are serving as advisors to our page, help- torical to a larger mass, by making histo- with all of our contributors, as we don’t
tures are now open for public display ing us put together the collection and in “After uploading the old photos, many ry available through social media. want our names to get space in any way.
through one Facebook page called ‘Old the archiving process and also readily people have got connected with their old- “Because of the platform we chose, the There are times when our contributors
Photos of Nepal’, which since 2014 has providing suggestions of how we can time friends, who share and recall their photos, which were previously seen by a are reluctant since we don’t share our
been archiving and displaying historical operate the page,” says the admin. fond memories. This makes us happy that limited circle, can now be reached to details with them. However since we
photos of Nepal. From the blaze of 1973 that destroyed through our platform, not only we are many places. In our perspective pages strictly follow copy-right laws and work
“We just wanted to create a platform the magnificent Singha Durbar to the documenting history, but we are also let- like ours can be the means through which to give their photos due credit, they
where we could share our old construction of the East-West highway to ting people relive the memories of the one can easily be well-versed about the understand our objective and share their
pictures from our albums as well as get old photos of Dharahara and other monu- old-good days,” says the admin, who runs past,” says the admin. photos,” says the admin.
amused by looking at each other’s pic- ments, the photos that the page has col- two subsidiary pages, ‘Nepal ko purano Currently, the page has more than 100k For the founders, these old and histori-
tures,” says the admin and one of the lected and archived are important tools of Tasbir haru’ and ‘Photo Museum Nepal’. likes on their main page, named ‘Old cal photos aren’t just mere showpieces.
co-founders of the page. recorded history. But that’s not the only value the page’s Photos of Nepal’, with nominal following These photos, according to them, have
While they started the page out of joy But archiving and collecting precious creation has led to. While the page has on the other two. While for the founders, visual knowledge of the past that can
of seeing and sharing old photos, the gems that have such huge historical definitely been a space where the general Facebook has been their primary plat- shape the present and future if they are
founders, who want to remain anony- importance comes with added responsi- mass can learn about the country’s histo- form for displaying their work, however made available to the public.
mous, say that things started getting seri- bility. Since the page is currently dissem- ry, researchers and institutions too often now with time, the page is also planning “The objective of our work is to pre-
ous when their popularity surged. “We inating the photos on Facebook, so that reach out to them for their research work, to dedicate a separate digital archiving serve the culture, heritage, environment,
didn’t expect that we would receive so the photos can be seen by more people, says the admin. space, both online and offline under the and traditions of our country,” says the
much support and response for our page many of the pictures have been misused “We were contacted by a Japanese name ‘Photo Museum Nepal’. admin. “Although we are trying to diver-
within a short time. That was why we as well. University, who were researching about “We will be sharing our collections on sify and make our work more systematic,
thought that we should take this page “Many times, even after including the Hanuman Durbar Square. Likewise, we Facebook, but in the long term we also our end goal will always be of preserving
seriously,” says the admin. trademarks of photographers and our have also been asked for old photos of want to create a space where we can digi- the visuals of the old days for our
In the beginning, they uploaded old page, there is a trend of misusing the temples by authorities, so they can be tally archive the photos and even start a upcoming generations, so they can have
photos that were available on the Internet, photos,” says the admin. used as a sketch to rebuild the monu- gallery,” says the admin. resources to study their history and cul-
but with time, they started contacting To keep such problems at bay, the page ments which were destroyed by the earth- Last year, the page had also conducted ture, and observe the overall changes
photographers, travellers, professors, and minimises the resolution of the photo, so quake. This just shows that the value of 13 exhibitions in different government through photos.”
T
here is a long, questionable and occasion-
ally successful tradition of spinning off
iconic literary and film characters through
relatives distant and not from James Bond
Jr to John Shaft II and III. In other words,
it’s not out of bounds that someone would
come along and invent a little sister for Sherlock
Holmes and eventually make a movie out of it.
Enola Holmes is the creation of American author
Nancy Springer who wrote a series of six young adult
novels about Sherlock and Mycroft’s teenage sister
who becomes a detective in her own right. The light-
hearted and enjoyable film adaptation stars Stranger
Things’ Millie Bobby Brown as the titular character
in an origin story that is clearly an attempt to start a
franchise. Thankfully it isn’t merely a “set-up” film.
Published and Printed by Kantipur Publications Pvt. Ltd., Central Business Park, Thapathali, Kathmandu, Nepal, P. B. No. 8559, Phone: 5135000, Fax: 977-1-5135057, e-mail: kpost@kmg.com.np, Regd. No. 32/049/050, Chairman & Managing Director: Kailash Sirohiya, Director: Swastika Sirohiya, Editor: Sanjeev Satgainya