Four win ‘Little and Teen Prince and ALL BE HAPPY, ALL BE WELL National Edition Ending poverty

ALL BE HAPPY, ALL BE WELL National Edition Ending poverty condition for
Princess International’: P.7 socialism: FM Sharma: P.2

Vol. LVI, No. 341 | November 29, 2021 | Mangsir 13, 2078 | Nepal Sambat 1142 | Kachhalaga Dashami | Monday | www.risingnepaldaily.com | Pages 8 | Rs. 5.00

WHO asks South-East Asian

countries to be vigilant
against Omicron variant
By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, Nov. 28
In view of surge in COVID-19 cases
elsewhere globally and detection of new
variant of concern Omicron, the World
Health Organisation (WHO) Sunday ap-
pealed to countries in South-East Asia
Region to scale up surveillance, strength-
en public health and social measures,
and enhance vaccination coverage.
“Though COVID-19 cases have
been declining in most countries of our
Region, the surge in cases elsewhere
in the world and confirmation of a new
Variant of Concern, is a reminder of the
persisting risk and the need for us to con-
tinue to do our best to protect against the
Local fishermen sailing boat for fishing in Rapti River near Kasara of Chitwan. virus and prevent its spread. At no cost
(Photo: Sujan Gurung/TRN) should we let our guards down,” said
Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional
Director,WHO South-East Asia Region.
Daily COVID-19
cases drop to 154
By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, Nov. 28
The Ministry of Health and Population
(MoHP) Sunday confirmed 158 new cases
of COVID-19. Of them, 154 were detected
through PCR tests and four through anti-
gen tests.
The nationwide COVID-19 tally
through PCR method reached 820,878 and
that through antigen tests reached 95,472.
Of the total 8,918 tests conducted in
the last 24 hours, 6,604 were Real-Time
Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR)
while 2,314 were antigen tests, informed
the MoHP.

Construction of expressway tunnels

The surge in cases and
confirmation of a new
variant is a reminder of
According to the MoHP, the Kath-
mandu Valley recorded 61 new infections
over that period. Of these, 42 cases were
confirmed in Kathmandu, six in Bhaktapur
and 13 in Lalitpur. In the past 24 hours, 31

to begin from mid-December

By Purushottam P. Khatri
Kathmandu, Nov. 28
The much-awaited construction
works of three tunnels of the Kath-
mandu-Terai/Madhesh Expressway,
one of the national pride projects that
has a strategic importance, is about to
begin from second week of Decem-
ber, 2021.
According to the Office of the
Fast Track under the command and
operation of Nepali Army Headquar-
ters, the construction works of 6.5 km
tunnels will begin from next month,
according to Lieutenant Colonel
Bishwo Bandhu Pahadi, chief techni-
cal officer of the project implementa-
tion and operations.
The whole construction respon-
sibility of the project is completely
under the command and control of
Nepali Army. And for the task of
completing bridges and tunnel works,
it had already selected Yooshin Engi-
neering Corporation (Korea) JV as an
international consultant.
The Army has said that it will
complete the contract process of roads
and 87 sky bridges of Asian standards
with a length of 11 km within current
Fiscal Year (next July), 2022 with the
aim of completing the project within
the stipulated time (2081 BS).
According to the detailed project
report, the project should be com-
pleted in the next two FYs if enough
budget is made available by the gov-
ernment. The land compensation
disputes seen in Khokana area must
also be resolved in time to complete
the project in time, said Pahadi.
In case the project faces budget
crunch and land compensation debate
protracted, the construction of the ex-
pressway will take another two years,
it said.
So far, Rs. 25.40 billion has been
spent for the expressway, according
to the Fast Track Office.
Now the construction of the ex-
pressway will have to be completed
at a cost of Rs. 150 billion. The gov-
ernment has allocated Rs. 8.93 billion
for the expressway this year.
The Army has already sent a pro-
posal to the Prime Minister's Office,
the Ministry of Finance and the Na-
tional Planning Commission through
the Ministry of Defence to provide at
least Rs. 30 billion for the comple-
tion of all contracts for bridges and
roads.
Military officials said they have
been assured that the necessary bud-
get will be provided during the work.
The government had handed over
the management of the expressway
project to the army on May 4, 2017.
The government had approved the
DPR on August 18, 2019 after two
years of the handing over of the
project.
From the date of the endorsement
of the DPR of the project, the army
aimed to complete and hand over the
project to the government in four and
a half years. However, the army has
been working for the construction of
the project since 2017, said Pahadi.
The expressway is being con-
structed on par with the standards of
Asian Highway.
"All types of contracting pro-
cess will be completed by this fiscal
year and the remaining works of the
project will get momentum from
next fiscal year (July)," Pahadi told
reporters at Makhkhubesi site of the
expressway.
The total cost of the expressway
is estimated to be Rs. 175 billion.
The contract for the tunnels has
been awarded to two Chinese state-
owned companies through interna-
tional bidding competition. Tunnels
will be constructed at Mahadevdanda,
Dhedre and Lendanda of Makwanpur
district.
According to Pahadi, they will
start construction from mid-December,
2021. For that, the explosives in pos-
session of the army will be used and the
process of purchasing additional explo-
sives from India has started.
See page 6
the persisting risk and the
need for us to continue
to do our best to protect
against the virus and
prevent its spread.
Issuing a press release, WHO said
that countries must enhance surveillance
and sequencing. They should assess the
risk of importation through international
travel based on updated information on
circulating variants and response capaci-
ties, and take measures accordingly.
“Comprehensive and tailored public
health and social measures to prevent
transmission must continue. The earlier
the protective measures are implement-
ed, the less restrictive they would need
to be in order to be effective. The more
COVID-19 circulates, the more opportu-
nities the virus will have to change and
mutate, and the pandemic will last lon-
ger,” the Regional Director said.
WHO’s Technical Advisory Group
on Virus Evolution met the other day and
designated B.1.1.529 as a variant of con-
cern and named it Omicron. Researchers
are working to understand how transmis-
sible or virulent this variant is, and how
it will impact diagnostics, therapeutics
and vaccines.  per cent and death rate is 1.4 per cent, as
“We must not forget that the pan-
demic is far from over. As societies open
up, we should not get complacent. Fes-
tivities and celebrations must include
all precautionary measures. Crowds and
large gatherings must be avoided. The
current situation warrants further step-
ping up efforts on all fronts,” the Region-
al Director said.
new infections were recorded in Province
1; four in Province 2; 84 in Bagmati and
two in Sudurpaschim.
No cases were detected in three
other Provinces in the past 24 hours.
According to the MoHP data, Kathmandu
and Lalitpur districts have more than 500
active cases each and six other districts
have more than 200 active cases each.
Meanwhile, Manang, Mugu, Jajarkot,
Humla and Salyan are the districts with
zero active cases as of today.
The active caseload has declined to
6,966 on Sunday. Of the active cases, 377
patients are admitted to various health fa-
cilities while remaining 6,589 are in home
isolation.
As per the latest update, 171
COVID-19 patients are admitted to the
Intensive Care Units (ICUs) while 33 are
under treatment with ventilator support
throughout the nation.
Meanwhile, 342 COVID-19 patients
recovered from the infection during that
period. Nepal has now recorded 802,389
cases of recovery.
The country also reported two deaths
related to the disease in the last 24 hours,
taking the death toll to 11,523. The recov-
ery rate of COVID-19 has reached 97.7
of today.
The MoHP informed that of the total
population, 9,647,560 people had received
their first dose of the vaccine against
COVID-19 and that 8,313,861 had re-
ceived their full dose as of Sunday. In to-
tal, 127,611 people were vaccinated in the
last 24 hours.

NC convention results Amid Omicron risks, following health protocol vital

out in 45 districts
By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, Nov. 28
The Nepali Congress Central Elec-
tion Committee said it got results of
district level general convention of 45
districts as of Sunday evening.
Committee member Tej Rawal in-
formed that the committee got results of
10 more districts on Sunday. It had got
results of 35 districts
on Saturday.
According to
the latest update re-
corded by the Com-
mittee, Jitendra Ku-
mar Shrestha, Tirtha
Lama, Krishna Dutta
Baral, Arjun Pokharel,
Raju Thapa, Shankhar Dangi, Dipen-
dra Shahi, Karna Bahadur Shahi, Pad-
am Bogati and Dambar Khadka were
elected as district chairs in Lalitpur,
Kavrepalanchwok, Kaski, Nawalparasi,
Syangja, Dang, Dolpa, Jumla, Kanchan-
pur and Ilam respectively.
Likewise, Ramesh Kumar Mahat,
Lalit Singh Bohora, Maniram Regmi,
By Sampada A. Khatiwada
Ram Krishna Khand and Bimal Dutta Kathmandu, Nov. 28
Shrestha were elected as district chair-
men in Nuwakot, Darchula, Dailekh, The variant of coronavirus clas-
Rupandehi and Palpa respectively on sified as B.1.1.529 and named Omi-
Saturday. cron has raised concerns all across
Meanwhile, our Jhapa correspon- the world as it is reported to be high-
dent reported that Deuman Thebe, loy- ly contagious.
al to NC leader Krishna Prasad Sitaula, The variant, first identified in
was elected district chairman in the dis- South Africa on November 24, has
trict. already spread to dozens of countries
Likewise, Keshab including Australia, Belgium, Bo-
Raj Pandey and Prem tswana, Germany, Hong Kong, Isra-
Sambahamphe, both el, Italy, and India.
loyal to Sitaula, were On November 26, the World
elected vice chairmen Health Organisation (WHO) labeled
while Nabin Bimali Omicron as the Variant of Concern,
and Krishna Humagai stating that the variant was more
were elected secretary. transmissible, virulent, and posed an
Likewise, Kalendra increased risk of reinfection.
Prasad Rajbamsi and Kamal Prasad Following the outbreak of a new,
Bhandari were elected as joint secretar- supposedly deadlier, variant, many
ies. countries have already imposed
Our Janakpurdham correspondent travel restrictions for people from
said that general convention under the South Africa and its neighbouring
party’s 14th general convention kicked countries.
off in four federal constituencies in Dha- The Ministry of Health and
nusa on Sunday. Population (MoHP) has also made a
See page 6
to strengthen all its means to fight
the new variant. Dr. Krishna Prasad
Poudel, spokesperson at the MoHP,
said, "We have already alerted the
concerned authorities about the new
variant and have called them to in-
crease surveillance."
"As the risk of COVID-19 per-
sists, directives issued earlier can
be implemented again to prevent the
new strain from entering Nepal. We
have also decided to set up health
desks at entry points, including at
the international airport," said Dr.
Poudel.
He added, "Although the situ-
ation is not worrisome yet, the risk
exists. Thus, we must opt for high
alertness and should continue fol-
week-long quarantine mandatory for lowing the public health measures
people traveling from or via South prescribed by the government.”
Africa.   Public health specialist Dr. Samir
As India has confirmed two cases Mani Dixit said, "Omicron is a new
of the new variant, the public health strain of SARS-CoV-2 and since the
specialists have been voicing that virus was reported only a few days
Nepal too is at a high risk of Omi- ago, we do not know much about it
cron. yet."
The Health Ministry is preparing He added, "The preliminary in-
vestigations have revealed that the
new strain is highly contagious but
we do not know anything other than
that. Concerns as to the effectiveness
of vaccines against Omicron, chanc-
es of reinfection, and the nature of
the infection are still unknown."
"Thus, we are currently in a wait-
and-see situation to ascertain the na-
ture of the new strain. However, we
should continue following the public
health standards such as washing
hands frequently, wearing masks,
and maintaining social distance,"
said Dr. Dixit, adding that the vac-
cination drive should be intensified
to the utmost possible extent and the
public should participate in it without
hesitating.
Dr. Jageshwor Gautam, former
spokesperson at the MoHP, said, as
the cases of Omicron have already
been detected in India, it can enter
Nepal any time.
"We do not have any alterna-
tive other than abiding by the public
health protocols to stay safe from the
new strain," he added.
 www.risingnepaldaily.com The Rising Nepal

BUSINESS
Bullion
2 2021 November 29 
2078 B.S. Mangsir 13 Monday
Hallmark Gold = Rs. 92.100 per tola
Worked Gold = Rs. 91,600 per tola
Silver = Rs. 1,210 per tola

Chilime-Trishuli transmission line Share Trading

Sunday's share prices

expected to complete in August 2022

Traded Companies Closing Previous Difference
Price Closing Rs.
Unilever Nepal Limited 19000 19295 -295
Rastriya Beema Company Limited 17340 17640 -300
Rastriya Beema Company Limited Promoter Share 12800 13558 -758
By A Staff Reporter under any pretext and to expedite the work by Bottlers Nepal (Terai) Limited 12105 12604 -499
Kathmandu, Nov. 28 adding more workers. Himalayan Distillery Limited 6665 6813 -148
Ghising urged the contractors to complete Salt Trading Corporation 5990 6360 -370
About 60 per cent works on the Chilime- the construction as soon as possible as per the
Mahila Lagubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited 5321 5400 -79
Trishuli 220 kV transmission line and commitment made as the transmission line was
Bishal Bazar Company Limited 5100 5250 -150
substations under construction in Rasuwa very sensitive.
Jeevan Bikas laghubitta bittya sanstha ltd 4356.1 4455 -98.9
and Nuwakot districts have been completed. Three hydropower projects connected to
Work is moving in full swing to complete this transmission line are in the final stages of National Microfinance Bittiya Sanstha Ltd. 3250 3410.1 -160.1

the construction of the transmission line within construction. No one is allowed to delay the Citizen Investment Trust 3180 3278.1 -98.1

August 2022, according to Nepal Electricity construction on this or that pretext. "We will Janautthan Samudayic Laghubitta Bikas Bank Ltd. 3001 3103 -102

Authority (NEA). do our best to solve the cash flow problem Forward Community Microfinance Bittiya Sanstha Ltd. 2800 2892 -92
Under the project, Chilime hub and and resolve any obstruction on the site. The Swabhimaan Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Ltd. 2510 2600 -90
Trisul-3B hub substations of 220/132/33 contractor will have to take full responsibility Support Microfinance Bittiya Sanstha Ltd. 2222 2316 -94
kV are being constructed in Thambuchet of for the situation arising due to delay in Global IME Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Ltd. 2185 2249 -64
Aamachhodingmo Rural Municipality of construction." Unnati Sahakarya Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Ltd. 2020.2 2133 -112.8
Rasuwa and Pahirebensi of Kispang Rural Under the People's Hydropower
Sabaiko Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited 1980 2044 -64
Municipality of Nuwakot respectively. Programme, 111 MW Rasuwagadhi, 42.5
The Chilime-Trisuli 3B hub 220 kV MW Sanjen and 14.8 MW Upper Sanjen Life Insurance Co. Nepal 1921.1 2015 -93.9

double circuit transmission line is also under hydropower projects are being constructed Mithila LaghuBitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited 1861 1900 -39

construction. under the leadership of Chilime Hydropower Mahuli Samudayik Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Ltd. 1840.2 1910 -69.8

Construction of civil structures of both Company and will be connected to Chilime Manakamana Smart Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Ltd. 1737.6 1773 -35.4
the substations has reached the final stage, Hub. Manushi Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited 1710 1860.5 -150.5
NEA said. About 65 per cent of important A contract agreement was signed with Infinity Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited 1685 1750 -65
equipment, including power transformer and Pinggao in July 2017 for the construction of Sana Kisan Bikas Bank Ltd 1655 1737 -82
GIS in the substation, have already reached. from Malung to Trishuli-3B hub. of NEA Kul Man Ghising conducted on-site transmission lines and substation. The contract Shikhar Insurance Co. Ltd. 1650 1717 -67
Of the 79 towers in the transmission line, The construction of the project has been monitoring of the substation and transmission agreement came into implementation from Chhimek Laghubitta Bikas Bank Limited 1644.5 1685 -40.5
27 have been fully erected and 17 have been affected due to COVID-19 and others. line under construction and instructed to December, 2017.
Nirdhan Utthan Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Ltd. 1539 1488 51
partially laid. The contractor for the project is a Chinese complete the work within mid-August 2022. The project has investment from the
Nabil Bank Limited 1523 1538 -15
Six towers have been installed. The company, Pinggao Group of Companies, and The team has requested the project government and NEA and concessional
project will construct a 19-km double circuit the consultant is Power Grid, India. management, consultants and the contractor loans of the German Development Bank and Chandragiri Hills Limited 1500 1581 -81

from Chilime to Malung and an 8 km circuit A team comprising Managing Director company not to delay the construction work European Investment Bank.  Laxmi Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Ltd. 1495 1575 -80
Ganapati Microfinance Bittiya Sanstha Limited 1488 1518 -30

Ending poverty condition NRB injects Rs. 1 trillion Nepal Life Insurance Co. Ltd. 1487 1533 -46

Vijaya laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Ltd. 1472 1541 -69

in market in three months

Mirmire Microfinance Development Bank Ltd. 1460 1516.1 -56.1

for socialism: FM Sharma

Swabalamban Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Ltd. 1456 1490 -34
RMDC Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Ltd. 1413.9 1449 -35.1
By A Staff Reporter Samata Gharelu Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Ltd. 1410 1441.1 -31.1
Kathmandu, Nov. 28 Nepal Doorsanchar Comapany Limited 1409 1484 -75
By A Staff Reporter programmes for quality Nepal Reinsurance Company Limited 1365 1366 -1
Kathmandu, Nov. 28 education under the policy Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has injected a huge amount of Kisan Lagubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited 1364.2 1410 -45.8
of making every school liquidity in the banking sector in the last three months as banks
Aarambha Chautari Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited 1360 1400 -40
Finance Minister entrepreneurial. and the financial sector have been facing a shortage of loanable
Summit Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited 1360 1387 -27
Janardan Sharma has said "The government has funds. The NRB has supplied around Rs. 1,008.17 billion to
that socialism will not come introduced an education policy ease the liquidity problems seen in the banking sector in the Asha Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Ltd 1356 1412 -56

in poverty and deprivation. that will enable students who first three months of the current fiscal year 2021/22. Nerude Laghubita Bikas Bank Limited 1343 1384 -41

Addressing a have passed at least 12 classes to NRB has injected about Rs. 185.50 billion through repo Naya Sarathi Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Ltd. 1330 1378 -48

programme organised by
the CPN-Maoist Central
Musikot Municipal
Committee on Sunday, he
said that socialism envisaged
by the constitution could
be achieved only by ending
poverty and deprivation.
"It is not possible to move
towards socialism until the
the country is the goal of the
government, he informed that
the coalition government is
focused on that.
become self-employed. From the and Rs. 822.68 billion through a permanent liquidity facility for NMB Microfinance Bittiya Sanstha Ltd. 1319 1333.2 -14.2
forthcoming academic session, a total of Rs. 1008.17 billion. The central bank has regularly Gurans Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited 1312 1365 -53
digital learning centres will supplied liquidity through various instruments to solve the Samudayik Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Ltd. 1300 1364 -64
be set up in different parts problem of liquidity crisis in banks and financial institutions. Sadhana Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited 1274 1298.3 -24.3
of the country and readings When there is more liquidity in the market, the NRB draws Shivam Cements Ltd 1263 1320 -57
with audio and video will be it and when there is shortage, it sends it to the market. Kalika Microcredit Development Bank Ltd. 1262 1299 -37
achieving this goal. conducted through modern During the review period, the NRB has drawn liquidity of
Deprosc Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited 1236 1280 -44
The production and technology.” about Rs. 31.65 billion through deposit collection instruments
Sagarmatha Insurance Co. Ltd. 1209 1243 -34
employment campaigns For the first time, the and Rs. 28.35 billion for a total of Rs. 60 billion.
will be conducted through government has started The NRB had collected about Rs. 60 billion liquidity Asian Life Insurance Co. Limited 1195 1235 -40

living standards of the poor are Stating that the basis of agricultural cooperatives, distributing financial relief through reverse repos from BFIs during the same period last NIC ASIA Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited 1189 1220.2 -31.2

uplifted," he said, adding that socialism would be prepared production groups and labour at the rate of Rs. 10,000 to year. During the review period, the NRB has provided Rs. 29.73 Neco Insurance Co. Ltd. 1179 1211 -32

"socialism can only be built
on the foundation of overall
development and prosperity."
Stating that the overall
development with quality of
by ending poverty in Rukum cooperatives, according to 500,000 poor families. billion liquidity by purchasing USD 247.6 million net from Mero Microfinance Bittiya Sanstha Ltd. 1165 1215 -50
within the next five to seven a press statement issued by Minister Sharma foreign exchange market (commercial banks). Swarojgar Laghu Bitta Bikas Bank Ltd. 1120 1152.2 -32.2
years, he said and urged Ministry. informed that dozens of people- The NRB had supplied Rs. 147.43 billion by purchasing Mountain Energy Nepal Limited 1100 1168 -68
the party cadres and the He said that the oriented programmes have been USD 1.24 billion net from foreign currency market during the Civil Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Ltd. 1075 1100 -25
general public to be active in government has introduced introduced this year. same period last fiscal year. Manjushree Finance Ltd. 1068 1117.9 -49.9

Stocks sink on new COVID

IME General Insurance Ltd. 1000 1050 -50

Share market records landslide India asks Starlink Ru Ru Jalbidhyut Pariyojana Limited
Grameen Bikas Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Ltd.
1000
960.4
1026
1003
-26
-42.6
to obtain license
again, index slips by 80.29 points
Shangri-la Development Bank Debenture 2087 960 960 0

By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, Nov. 28
for internet services
AP
variant; Dow loses 905 points Premier Insurance Co. Ltd.
ICFC Finance Limited
National Life Insurance Co. Ltd.
950
932
923
991
849
966
-41
83
-43
Corporate Development Bank Limited 870 928.3 -58.3
New Delhi, Nov. 28 AP and investors, public officials and the general
Siddhartha Insurance Ltd. 860 900 -40
The share market decreased significantly on Sunday, the New York, Nov. 28 public are jittery about any new variant that’s
NLG Insurance Company Ltd. 858 890 -32
first trading day of the week. The Indian spreading. It’s been nearly two years since
CEDB Hydropower Development Co. Limited 849 884 -35
The benchmark of share market index, NEPSE, posted a government has asked Stocks sank Friday, with the Dow Jones COVID-19 emerged, killing more than 5
double-digit fall of 80.29 points (2.94 per cent) and closed at Industrial Average briefly falling more than million people around the globe so far. Narayani Development Bank Limited 848 879 -31
Starlink Internet Services
2,651.49 points today. 1,000 points, as a new coronavirus variant Cases of the new variant were found in NIC Asia Bank Ltd. 817 842 -25
of Elon Musk’s SpaceX
With the significant fluctuation, the index had decreased first detected in South Africa appeared to be Hong Kong, Belgium and Tel Aviv as well as Gurkhas Finance Ltd. 815 835 -20
by 37.35 points last week. aerospace company to
spreading across the globe. Investors were major South African cities like Johannesburg. Nepal Insurance Co. Ltd. 811 845 -34
Even though the NEPSE declined, the turnover increased comply with the country’s uncertain whether the variant could potentially The economic impacts of this variant First Micro Finance Development Bank Ltd. 800 852 -52
Sunday compared to last Thursday. regulatory framework reverse months of progress at getting the were already being felt. The European Prabhu Insurance Ltd. 793 821 -28
A total of 11,903,202 shares worth Rs. 5.83 billion of 234 before offering its satellite- COVID-19 pandemic under control. Union and the U.K. both announced travel Surya Life Insurance Company Limited 772 797 -25
companies were bought and sold in 70,842 transactions today. based internet services. The S&P 500 index dropped 106.84 points, restrictions from southern Africa on Friday. RSDC Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Ltd. 754 775 -21
About 7,486,575 shares worth Rs. 3.78 billion of 233 A Communications or 2.3%, to close at 4,594.62. It was the worst After the market closed, the U.S. also put travel
Goodwill Finance Co. Ltd. 730 772 -42
companies had been sold on last Thursday. Ministry statement late day for Wall Street’s benchmark index since restrictions on those coming from South Africa
Prime Life Insurance Company Limited 701 756.52 -55.52
The sensitive index which measures the performance of Friday said that because February.The index was dragged lower by as well as seven other African nations.
Ajod Insurance Limited 700 723 -23
group ‘A’ companies also decreased by 14.19 points (2.75 per Starlink is not the holder everything from banks, travel companies and Airline stocks quickly sold off, with
cent) to close at 501.45 points. energy companies as investors tried to reposition United Airlines dropping 9.6% and American Lumbini General Insurance Co. Ltd. 696 728.9 -32.9
of a license, the public is
According to NEPSE, the sub-indices of all groups to protect themselves financially from the new Airlines falling 8.8%. “COVID had seemingly United Insurance Co. (Nepal) Ltd. 686 719 -33
advised not to subscribe to
decreased sharply in today’s transaction. variant. The World Health Organization called been put in the rear-view mirror by financial Prudential Insurance Co. Ltd. 683 695 -12
Sub-index of life insurance group posted the highest fall of Starlink services that are
the variant “highly transmissible.” markets until recently,” Douglas Porter, chief Sahas Urja Limited 682 706 -24
538.03 points (3.66 per cent) followed by non-life insurance and being advertised. The price of oil fell about 13%, the biggest economist at BMO Capital Markets. “At the Everest Insurance Co. Ltd. 674 696.4 -22.4
development bank group whose indices decreased by 385.94 points “The same is also decline since early in the pandemic, amid worries least, (the virus) is likely to continue throwing Muktinath Bikas Bank Ltd. 672 695 -23
(3.18 per cent) and 267.25 points (5.11 per cent) respectively. evident from the website of of another slowdown in the global economy. sand in the gears of the global economy in Janaki Finance Ltd. 671.1 709 -37.9
Similarly, sub-index of manufacturing and processing group Starlink ( www.starlink.com That in turn dragged down energy stocks. Exxon 2022, restraining the recovery (and) keeping Ngadi Group Power Ltd. 665 716 -51
went down by 192.41 points (3 per cent), trading by 159.17 points ) wherein satellite-based shares fell 3.5% while Chevron fell 2.3%. The kinks in the supply chain.” Himalayan General Insurance Co. Ltd 656 700 -44
(5.37 per cent), hotels and tourism by 147.09 points (4.32 points) internet services can be blue chips closed down 905.04 points to end the Even Bitcoin got caught up in the
Mahalaxmi Bikas Bank Ltd. 652 703 -51
and microfinance by 139.4 points (2.65 per cent). booked by users in Indian day at 34,899.34. The Nasdaq Composite lost selling. The digital currency dropped 8.4% to
The sub-indices of banking, hydropower, finance, others, territory,” it said. 353.57 points, or 2.2%, to 15,491.66. $54,179, according to CoinDesk. In Nantucket, Union Life Insurance Company Limited 649 670 -21

investment and mutual fund groups decreased by 34.97 points, “Investors are likely to shoot first and ask Massachusetts, where he is spending a holiday Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Ltd 649 679.1 -30.1
There was no
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evident from the action in the bond market, “They always do when there’s something Miteri Development Bank Limited 618 640 -22
have increased in today’s transaction. Media reports said where the yield on the 10-year Treasury note on COVID (that) arises,” Biden said. General Insurance Company Nepal Ltd 600 619 -19
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 The Rising Nepal www.risingnepaldaily.com

NATION 2021 November 29

2078 B.S. Mangsir 13 Monday 3

Works in two new towns in Karnali sluggish Hospital found

By Our Correspondent
Surkhet, Nov. 28
Of the 10 new towns announced
by the government in the fiscal year
2021/22, two are in Karnali. Rakam
Karnali of Dailekh and Chaurjahari of
Rukum West have been declared new
towns among those 10 towns across
the country.
As the decade of the new town
declaration approaches, the development
that should have taken place has not yet
gained speed. The then government
had announced the formulation of 10
new markets connected to the Mid-Hill
Pupshpalal Highway.
Infrastructure development work
has not picked up speed as 11 years
have passed since the announcement of
Rakam Karnali's New City in Dailekh's
Aathbish Municipality.
Although preparations have been
made to move the work forward through
land pooling for two years, the work has
not been completed yet.
The Rakam Karnali project had
not gained momentum for several
years due to protests by locals against
land pooling, but later an agreement
was reached.
Chief Engineer of Rakam Karnali
New City Project Sushil Rasaili said
that various consultants who have
taken charge of the work have already
submitted their reports after facing the
issue of land pooling.
He informed that there was no
work of allotment of land in the field
even after the completion of land
pooling. He said they were coordinating
with the Land Revenue Office in Dullu
for the land issue.
Although it is said that various
infrastructures will be constructed on
the land of the locals and roads will be
paved and hospitals constructed, only
the gravel work of the road construction,
community building, community
waiting room, and 270 solar power
connections have been completed and
handed over to the local government.
According to Rasaili, a tender is
being called this year to pave the road
from the zero point of Rakam Karnali
to the municipal building. Apart from
Rakam Karnali of Dailekh, which was declared as a new town of Karnali Province. 
that, other works including a tender for
the second-floor slope of the office are
also underway, he informed.
Ran Bahadur Majhi, Ward
Chairman of Aathbish Municipality-4,
said the work was started two years ago
after an agreement was reached to build
the infrastructure and return it to the
locals by removing the cost other than
the land. However, the project later said
that the work in the new city could not
pick up speed due to various reasons
and lack of staff.
Similarly, Arjun Shahi, a resident
of the same place, accused the project of
delaying the development of the area by
making excuses and other disputes. He
said that even after more than a decade
since the announcement of the new city,
there is no visible structure.
Mayor of the municipality
Khadkaraj Upadhyaya said that the
government was coordinating to start the
work of the new city as soon as possible
by giving 137 ropanis of land for urban
development.
He said it would help the project
move forward at a faster pace even
though locals had protested for a long
time, saying that the compensation was
distributed against the Land Acquisition
Act based on the report of the Land
Acquisition Urban Development and
Building Construction Division Office
Surkhet.
Similarly, the construction work
of Chaurjahari new town of Rukum
West is in progress. Roads, buildings,
bus parks, service centres and other
structures are being constructed in
Chaurjahari in the district under the
Mid-Hill Highway.
Project Chief Dhir Fadera said
that the project office was moving ahead
with the basic construction work by
preparing an integrated development
plan in the areas of Kotjahari and
Vijayashwori area. The work of tarring
7.2 km of the main road of Chaurjahari
has reached the final stage.
Similarly, Khim Bahadur Chand,
a staff of the office, said that some
construction work on Chaurjahari
Ring Road has been completed and the
process of re-contracting the rest has
been started by DPR.
Under the project, an agricultural
produce collection centre is being
constructed for Rs. 10 million in
Chaurjahari Municipality-2.
The first phase of construction
of Chaurjahari Bus Park has been
completed and the second phase contract
process has been moved.
The construction work of the
integrated service centre at a cost
of around Rs. 100 million is being
completed within the current fiscal year,
said Fadera.
(Photo: Kamal Sharma/TRN)
Similarly, construction work
of community building has been
completed in wards 1, 2 and 4. The land
development plan has been approved
by the Council of Ministers and will be
completed this year.
According to the office, solar light
connection has been completed in the
city and there are additional programmes
this year as well.
The project has also completed
the work of upgrading Bijayashwori-
Mankot-Amalatakura road,
Bijayashwori-Melanauli-Khare road,
Melanauli, Dande Amrai-Kotjahari
road, Sialkhola-Amvachaur road and
bus park road from Lamichhane village.
Due to lack of budget, important
programmes like Chaurjahari Assembly
Hall and Stadium could not be
executed and initiative is being taken in
coordination with the state and federal
governments, said Fadera.
operating without
permission
By Dipak Prasad Gautam
Birgunj, Nov. 28
Nilkantha Hospital and
Research Centre, a 15-bed
hospital in Ward 12 of Birgunj
Metropolitan City, has been
found to be operating without
receiving permission from the
concerned authorities.
The hospital was
officially inaugurated
in the presence of local
representatives and police on
June 29 this year by organising
a grand programme.
However, now it has
been revealed that the hospital
has not received permission
to operate.
Since the local
government grants permission
to a hospital up to 15-bed
capacity, Nilkantha Hospital
had written a letter to Birgunj
Metropolis on April 7.
“A letter of intent was
provided to the applicant
on June 15 stating that they
can start constructing the
infrastructure for the hospital
and complete it within three
years,” said Arun Kumar
Mahato, senior health
administrative officer of
Birgunj Metropolis.
Mahato, who is also
the chief of the department
of health and social
development, informed
that the letter stated that the
hospital could come into
operation only after receiving
a separate permission once the
construction gets completed.
However, the hospital
already came under operation
citing the letter of intent
for construction was the
permission to operate it.
According to Dr.
Abhinash Giri, one of the
operators of Nilkantha
Hospital, there are now seven
patients undergoing treatment
at the hospital and around 40
to 100 OPD patients visit it on
a daily basis.
The 15-bed hospital has
three ICUs and five NICUs.
It also has faculties for
orthopaedics, gynaecology
and paediatrics among others.
Meanwhile, authorities
have assured to take necessary
action against the hospital as
per the existing law if found
guilty.
“Nobody can operate
a hospital without getting
permission. Assistant Chief
District Officer has been
directed to investigate into
the issue,” said Umesh Kumar
Dhakal, Chief District Officer
of Parsa.
Assistant Chief District
Officer Bhimkanta Poudel
informed that he received the
instruction and would inspect
the hospital.
Locals have also raised
concerns stating that the
authorities were unknown
about the hospital that was
in operation and providing
treatment without permission
for the past six months.

10 arrested with 33 litre red sandalwood oil

By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, Nov. 28
The Metropolitan Crime Division
has arrested 10 individuals with 33 litre
red sandalwood oil from Kathmandu.
Issuing a press statement on Friday,
the division informed that the individuals
were arrested from the area behind
Tilganga Eye Hospital.
“We had received information
that there were people trying to sell red
sandalwood oil. We then deployed an
undercover team to find a connection and
manage a deal with the individuals,” said
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP)
Chandra Kuber Khapung.
SSP Khapung, who is also the
chief for the division, informed that
the individuals were arrested while
they brought the oil for selling to the
undercover officers.
The arrested individuals have been
identified as 50-year-old Hem Kumar
Shrestha of Sindhuli, 39-year-old Mangal
Singh Lo of Makwanpur, 31-year-old
Karsang Lama of Kavre and 23-year-old
Ghanashyam Ale Magar and 20-year-old
Jivan Thapa of Khotang.
Likewise, 51-year-old Madan
Pode, 25-year-old Sudip Bhattarai,
53-year-old Anil Charan Shrestha,
37-year-old Ikram Shrestha and 51-year-
old Anup Kumar Shrestha of Kathmandu
have also been arrested.
The oil processed from the red
sandalwood trees costs Rs. 500,000 per
litre. Red sandalwood is an aromatic
tropical hardwood tree which is endemic
to southern India and does not naturally
grow in Nepal.
“Red sandalwood oil does not have
a market in Nepal but China is different.
It seems that the oil was smuggled a
couple of months earlier from India but
got stranded in Nepal as smuggling to
China amidst the COVID-19 pandemic
was more difficult,” said SSP Khapung.
On January, 2020, the
government of Nepal had decided
to allow India to take home
173,072-kilogram red sandalwood
which was confiscated in Nepal from
racketeers while being smuggled to
China.
Nepal and India have agreed to the
CITES which has a provision of returning
confiscated contraband to the country
of origin.
“Nepal has been a transit for
smuggling goods between India and
China. Involvement of 10 individuals
shows that how Nepalis are being used
for the smuggling. Further details could
come from the forest office,” said SSP
Khapung.
As per the prevailing law, the
division has handed over the confiscated
oil and arrested individuals to the Division
Forest Office in Hattisar, Kathmandu. It
will overlook further investigation and
legal process.

Four gold tortoise racketeers held

By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, Nov. 28
Four persons have been
arrested from Soalteemode,
Kathmandu on Saturday for
allegedly being involved in
an illegal trading of live gold
tortoise.
A special squad
deployed under the command
of police inspector Shishir
Shrestha from Metropolitan
Police Range, Kathmandu,
detained them along with
the tortoise and some
cash amount, Deputy
Superintendent of Police
Niranjan Dutta Bhatta said.
The seized tortoise
and traders were taken to
the Division Forest Office,
Hattisar, Kathmandu for
further legal action, said police.
The arrested
persons include - Sanjay
Tamang, 44, of Balaju,
Kathmandu district,
Prakash Khati, 22, of
Machhapokhari, Ward 10,
Sudhekuna Municipality,
Tanahun district, Raj
Kumar Tamang, 33,
of Gaurishankar Rural
Municipality-8 of
Dolakha district, and Hari
Pariyar, 42, of Bhanu
Municipality, Tanahun,
and temporarily residing
in Ranibari.
Police have also seized
Rs. 36,655 in cash and some
mobile phones.
One week ago, some
of the smugglers had also
been arrested for the illegal
trading of gold tortoise from
A rear golden tortoise (Photo: TRN) Bouddha area.
 www.risingnepaldaily.com The Rising Nepal

OP-ED
Thought For Today

4 2021 November 29
2078 B.S. Mangsir 13 Monday
The measure of who we are is what we
do with what we have.
-- Vince Lombardi

EDITORIAL
End Gender-based Violence
Delhi-Dhaka Ties At Crossroads No, I would not want to term it The Russians might feel the Prime Minister Hasina’s office several nationals by Chinese firms have

W
a rupture when reviewing an aspect same. Concessions to another state times for an audience but all in vain. contributed to easing unemployment.
OMEN in Nepal constitute more than 50 per cent of total of the existing relationship between cannot be a substitute to legitimate So New Delhi sent its external affairs That Bangladesh accepted Sinovac
population. Their strong demographic presence indicates Bangladesh and India. But the national interests. The India-Pakistan secretary to the Bangladeshi capital. with alacrity but rejected Covaxin at the
their important role in the overall development process prevailing conditions can by no means war that ended in Bangladesh When briefed that the visiting secretary’s height of COVID-19 pandemic showed
of the nation. Nepal has witnessed increased women empowerment be overlooked as a passing phase of parting from Pakistan to become an primary agenda was to “improve” the current course of Sino-Bangladeshi
over the years, thanks to the political awareness, education, some ambiguous misunderstanding. independent nation might not have bilateral ties, the hosts were deeply ties. As if to underscore the existence
constitutional arrangement, implementation of pro-women laws and The case is more serious than what started in the first place if the 1971 disappointed. They expected a higher of a “special relationship” between the
frequent campaigns against female discrimination. Their access to might seem on the surface. Delay in Indo-Soviet 20-year treaty had not been level representative for such serious task. two neighbours, the Indian government
health, education, jobs and decision-making platforms is growing P Kharel
addressing comprehensive bilateral signed a few months before the brief but Dissatisfied, the hosts laid down renamed a major thoroughfare in Delhi

A
at a satisfactory level. Gender equality has been fundamental for the issues risks deterioration in relationship. decisive war that winter. the condition that there would be no after Sheikh Hasina’s father, Sheikh
equitable development of society. The political and legal mechanisms slew of violent acts against Indian Home Minister Amit joint statement or joint press meet in Mujibur Rahman.
have been created to ensure gender parity. Despite these achievements, Hindu community in Long trail Shah two years ago came down heavily connection with Indian secretary’s In office without a break since
women continue to suffer from different problems that constrain Bangladesh once more brought In the last three years, Dhaka on foreign “termites” who crossed visit. A respected Bangladeshi scribe January 2009, Sheikh Hasina has been
their mental, physical, intellectual and economic progress. One such to the fore in October how things can and Delhi seem to share some serious over the border fences to India for commented on the visit as well as the prime minister for more than 17 years,
serious issue is violence against women. They are subject to domestic conflagrate unless a political leadership differences oozing in public in the permanent residence. Bangladeshi cavalier attitude toward such serious including her previous term from 1996
violence, sexual abuse, rape, mental trauma, trafficking, dowry and acts on time. According to media form of growing unease at an early news media, political leaders and business of improving bilateral ties that to 2001. Hers is a South Asian record
child marriage, among others. reports, mobs killed at least seven stage. This does not bode well for opinion makers reacted angrily to the had developed snags of late. Chastened, based on periodic elections. At the turn
Violence against women is now pervasive evil inflicting women persons and set on fire more than 20 either of the capitals while South Block advised Modi of the millennium, she was defeated by
globally. According to the United Nations, nearly one in three women homes of Hindus who constitute 10 the rest of the world’s Tide Of Times to make a trip to Dhaka Bangladesh Nationalist Party President
has been abused in their lifetime. Only one in 10 women approaches per cent of that country’s 170 million most-populous region and mollify his counterpart. Begum Khaleda Zia. Under Hasina’s
the police to get justice. The cases of violence against women rose population. representing every fifth Without a thorough review of their The Indian prime minister stewardship, Dhaka has begun looking
dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic, humanitarian crisis, Intolerant extremist groups of humanity watches existing ties, India-Bangladesh ties visited Dhaka in March, beyond the immediate region, too,
perpetrated the violence during the the events with mixed coinciding with the for new opportunities with long-term
conflicts and climate calamities, states the UN Women report.
Nonetheless, gender-based violence can be controlled and the victims Durga Puja celebrations, which made interests. The rest of could drift to directions other than hosts’ celebration of prospects as well.
are assured justice if we instil confidence into victims, do away with news in the Indian media with wider the Islamic world and what they recorded since so long. their country’s 50th Bangladesh’s hope of becoming
bad social norms and misconceptions and muster support from police, coverage than would otherwise have the big powers, too, can independence day. a fast developing economy by the next
court, political parties and civil societies to this end. Moreover, the drawn if other religious groups were be expected to closely monitor and manner of reference they believed was Except for the Maldives that is decade is not an improbable target.
women seeking justice and rights should be provided economic and involved in a foreign country. This gave assess the developments vis-à-vis their a direct dig at their fellow nationals. exclusively Sunni, South Asian states Its potential of emerging as credible
legal backing. It requires collaborative and comprehensive efforts to the impression that some sections in own individual interests and likely Shah sees himself as having the best have over the past several decades regional power exists. Much depends
end gender gender-based violence that takes place at home, office secular India might consider themselves implications. credentials within the ruling Bharatiya suffered communal violence, including on the strategies it charts and pursues
and public places. as proactive protectors of Hindus Normally, Indo-Bangla ties Janata Party to don the hat of Prime ethnic cleansing activity, of different the related course with care and success.
wherever they might be. should have been on an even keel and Minister Narendra Modi’s successor. denominations and orientations. Nepal, Ground reality amid existing potential
Against this backdrop, Nepal has actively participated in UN-led 16 Bangladeshi Prime Minister free from much pinpricks, given a History tells us how imperial one of the oldest existing independent should be overlooked, failing which
Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence that began from Sheikh Hasina Wajed reiterated her crucial aspect of their common history Britain’s Prime Minister Winston states, is the lone country that was never would mean not just a big strain on a
November 25. It will conclude on December 10 coinciding with the commitment to religious freedom to stretching from 1971 — the year the Churchill, when warned about an under colonial rule in the region. And government but risks mammoth drain
World Human Rights Day. The campaign’s theme is “Orange the followers of all faiths, but she did not former East Pakistan declared and impending famine in India, passed Bangladesh is the youngest state. on energy, resources and credibility.
World: End Violence against Women Now!” The global drive is leave things at that. She drew the larger achieved independence. Had it not been contemptuous remarks on Indians “who Without a thorough review of
expected to generate sufficient amount of consciousness to eradicate all neighbouring country’s attention that for India’s highly assertive sympathy, breed like rabbits”. The subsequent Conspicuous their existing ties, India-Bangladesh ties
forms of violence and discriminations against women. The campaign minority issues in India tended to affect backed by action-based support that famines claimed many hundreds of New Delhi is aware of could drift to directions other than what
falls on Nepali month of Mangsir when the cases of violence against minorities in Bangladesh. Clearly, she led to the emergence as recognition thousands of lives in the “Jewel in Bangladesh’s growing ties with China they recorded since so long.
women declines, according to the news report of this daily. However, was referring to Muslim minority being of an independent nation, its history, Britain’s Crown”. whose investments in the South Asian
the overall scenario is not optimistic. Data provided by Nepal Police harassed and tormented in the world’s shape and status might have been quite Early this year, the Indian High country has tripled in the recent years. (Professor Kharel specialises
show that the cases of gender-based violence form around 40 per cent largest (population wise) democracy. different for what they constitute today. Commissioner in Dhaka approached Jobs provided to the Bangladeshi in political communication.)
of total crimes occurred from 2017/18 to 2019/20.

How To Tackle Femicide Epidemic

Domestic violence alone occupies 77 per cent of the cases related to
gender-based violence. The police investigation reveals that majority
of predators and victims lack good education but those having higher
education have also been involved in violence against women. The
efforts to bring the culprits to book often hit a snag as victims hesitate have increased five-fold as rates of reported around the world, and increased reactionary and gender-inequality play in violence worldwide.
to come forward and present evidences against them owing to the intimate partner violence increased alongside responses to so-called ‘gender ideology’. There In considering the response to femicide,
the COVID-19 pandemic. In Mexico, refuge has also been an alarming roll back in international countries also need to take into account the living
entrenched cultural and societal factors. Some victims fear potential
services saw a 77-fold increase in demand. There cooperation around gender-based violence through victims of femicide, namely the children that
reprisal and conceal the violence against them. As many perpetrators has been much research that shows prevalence of the push back against the Istanbul convention. are left when their mothers are killed. In 2018,
are known individuals or relatives of victims, it becomes tricky to domestic and sexual violence increases during In July this year, Turkey withdrew from Italy became the first country in Europe to pass
investigate and move the legal process. This requires adopting effective times of crisis. the convention despite the Committee on the a law for orfani speciali, or special orphans.
policy to make sure that the victims get justice and lead a decent life There have also been specific aspects of Elimination of Discrimination against Women The fund financially supports a range of issues;
thereafter. The ongoing campaign against gender-based violence the COVID-19 national lockdowns that have (CEDAW) noting this would ‘deepen the scholarships, legal aid, and funding for medical
should be made effective so as to ensure security of women. Jade Levell materially exacerbated isolation for victims. The protection gap for women and girls during a time and psychological care. All too often children are
closure of face-to-face health services, support when gender-based violence against women is on left with sparse and oversubscribed services with

S
services, and even local amenities has reduced the rise’. Some countries like the United Kingdom a postcode lottery of support provided by charities

Politics Everywhere INCE the start of the COVID-19 pandemic,

the increase in domestic violence rates has
led the United Nations to declare a ‘shadow
pandemic’ of gender-based violence. In the most
BMD from acquiring membership of any
brutal cases, the violence has led to murder – or
opportunities for victims seeking help. The closure
of schools and youth services meant that children
living with domestic violence and abuse also
faced being cut off from support and respite of
the school day. Dubravka Simonović, the Special
have only signed, but not ratified, the Istanbul
convention. In 2021, UK launched the Domestic
Abuse Bill in parliament. This, however, frames
DVA in gender-neutral terms. Indeed, domestic
abuse murders in UK government procedures are
and NGOs. The UK Domestic Abuse Bill has
designated children as victims of domestic abuse
in their own right, marking a distinct change from
their previous peripheral recognition as witnesses
and bystanders.

A
teacher, who is one of my
friends, has lately been
nominated as a general
convention representative of a
national-level political party. He
now feels so proud of having this role
that his happiness knows no bounds.
He frequently posts this information
along with the photos taken with some
of the influential leaders belonging to
his party on social media. Many of his
friends, relatives and office and party
colleagues are congratulating him on
his 'remarkable feat.'
Like him, there may be
thousands of other civil servants,
teachers and others working for
public enterprises who have been
actively involved in activities of one
political party or the other. Many
others who receive salaries, perks
and allowances from the state coffer
have also been associated with trade
unions serving just like sister wings
of political parties. With the main
opposition CPN-UML now holding
its general convention in Chitwan
and the two ruling parties-- Nepali
political party. But things seem
otherwise. To regulate the employees,
the Act needs to be enforced in letter
and spirit.
But the political parties
themselves do not seem to be ready
to stop civil servants and teachers
from being involved in politics
directly. Just to win the elections,
the parties have tried their best to
attract everyone to them. As there
is a tougher competition among
the parties, they always attempt to
organise as many individuals as
possible and issue membership to
them. Parties are seen mobilising
employees and teachers during the
elections.
As their jobs are sinecure,
even school teachers seem to be
working as full-time party activists.
Consequently, most public schools
have failed to provide quality
education to children even when the
state has been investing much money
in the education sector. And it is the
private schools that have stood to
benefit as they have been able to
lure more students. Similar is the
‘femicide’, as the world health organisation calls
the killing of women specifically because of
their gender. This is distinct from male homicide
because of the power differentials that underline
femicide; most cases are perpetrated by current or
ex-partners and emerge from a context of abuse,
control, violence, and intimidation.
‘Femicide’ as a label aims to draw
specific attention to the gendered nature of the
victimisation. Domestic violence is both a cause
and consequence of gender inequality. The threat
of violence, and the presence of abuse, serves to
grant the perpetrator power and control over their
victim. A study by WHO and the London School
of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine show that
more than 35 per cent of all murders of women
globally are reported to be committed by an
intimate partner, as opposed to 5 per cent of male
murders. 137 women across the world are killed by
a member of their own family every day.
Support services
Although we do not yet have the data on
the increases of femicides, many countries have
evidence of a much higher demand for domestic
violence support services since the pandemic
broke out. In some countries, calls to helplines
50 Years Ago
November 29, 1971
Rapporteur on violence against women, also
critiqued the ‘gender-blind’ lockdown measures
which had resulted in an increased risk of domestic
Not all murders of women are related to gender-based
violence; 42 per cent of global murders of women in
2019 were by perpetrators who were not partners or
family members.
violence and abuse (DVA) for those confined at
home with abusers.
Despite the framing of ‘femicide’ as a distinct
outcome of gender-based violence, however,
there is still a general lack of accountability for
perpetrators. In 2018, the United Nations invested
€50 million to focus particularly on femicide in
Latin America, where 98 per cent of gender-related
murders are unprosecuted. Part of the problem lies
in reticence to connect patriarchal power structures
to the prevalence of femicide. Instead of seeing
an increase in gendered framing of DVA, we are
instead witnessing an increasing trend towards
gender neutrality. This is occurring in a wider
context of rolling back of women’s rights more
broadly, including increased abortion restrictions
Reader's Mail
still framed as ‘domestic homicides’. In contexts
such as this, the term ‘homicide’ is framed as a
gender-neutral term which refers to the killing of
a human being by another person.
For advocates of remaining with one
umbrella term, a key advantage is that it focuses
on the act of killing and applies to victims of all
genders. This approach also reflects the fact that
not all murders of women are related to gender-
based violence; 42 per cent of global murders of
women in 2019 were by perpetrators who were
not partners or family members. However, gender
remains an important aspect of understanding
violence, as males commit 90 per cent of murders
worldwide. This has led some campaigners to
call for the naming of ‘male violence’ as the key
issue, regardless of the gender of the victims.
Gender-neutrality under the guise of inclusivity
serves to obscure the role that patriarchal systems
Femicide preventable
Femicide as a term hones our attention to
the gendered dynamics murder related to domestic
violence against women. In reality, however,
femicide is overlooked, undercounted, and under-
prosecuted across the globe. Although there has
been some attention paid to the shadow pandemic
of gender-based violence, the burden of this has
fallen on the shoulders of already under-resourced
NGO services.
It is essential to remember that femicide is
actually a symptom of a much wider problem. It
is patriarchal norms and gender inequality that are
both the cause and consequence of gender-based
violence in society. To effect change, we need
to address systematic gender-inequality, societal
tolerance of violence against women, and properly
fund resources and services to support victims
to access help as well as perpetrators to be held
accountable and have targeted interventions to
effect change. Femicide is not an inevitable part
of life. It is preventable.
(The author is a lecturer in social & public
policy at the University of Bristol, UK.)
-- International Politics and Society
TAILPIECE

Safety Measures Reduce Road Accidents

Congress and CPN-Maoist Centre A paperboy said
2 UAR Planes
condition of many state-run colleges
— going to organise their general and universities. As politics has to a customer one day,

conventions soon, a large number of
bureaucrats and teachers have been
nominated as representatives.
As they are fully dedicated
to the party activities, they hardly
have time and zeal to carry out their
professional duties in offices and
educational institutions in an honest
manner. Because of such 'politically
motivated' persons, the beneficiaries
are naturally deprived of services.
This tendency is also contributing
to misusing the taxpayers' money.
But there are no any responsible
authorities who can hold such
individuals accountable to their jobs.
However, the Political Party
Act, 2017 prevents university
teachers, school teachers and
bureaucrats working under the federal,
provincial and local governments
dominated these reputed institutions,
they have continued to lose their
charms.
Amidst such a scenario, the
Election Commission of Nepal has
shown its serious concern over the
over the increasing involvement of the
civil servants and teachers in political
activities. The constitutional body
has also urged the relevant political
parties to cancel the membership of
such persons. To maintain sanctity
of the bureaucracy and educational
institutions, the parties must stop
inducting government employees
in their committees. Otherwise,
every sector is sure to get polluted
further sooner or later. Some kind of
demarcation between politicians and
civil servants and teachers should
be in place.
Collided
Alexandria-AFP: Two
T HIS is in reference to the news report
Egyptian air force planes
collided in mid-air, then crashed
into a small village of Southeast
of here last night.
Notice To
Contributors
TRN welcomes articles, letters
and comments from our valued
readers and contributors. Our
priority is on timely topics of
public interest and concern.
Please email your
contributions to:
trnfeatures@hotmail.com
features@therisingnepal.org.np
Or send them to
P.O. Box 23, Kathmandu Nepal
"Mr. Smith, I wish I had
entitled “Five dead, 27 injured in Jajarkot
bus accident” published in the online edition
twenty customers like
you."
"Gosh, that's nice
of your daily on November 28. According
to hear," said Smith, "but
to the news report, at least five passengers
I'm kind of surprised
were killed and 27 others wounded in a bus
considering I never tip
accident that happened in Barahchaur of Bheri
Municipality-13 in Jajarkot district. all that well and always
Despite being well aware of the bad road pay late."
conditions, people in rural areas are forced The paperboy said,
to travel in a risky manner. What is really "I know, but I'd still like
saddening is the government’s lack of effort in It is really disappointing to see how people are twenty customers like you.
maintaining roads, monitoring buses, and ensuring the dying and getting injured nearly on a daily basis in The problem is I have one
safety of passengers. We are stuck in a web of receiving different parts of the country. These situations should
hundred and forty!"
compensation each time any such accident happens. not come to an end. For these, the authorities, transport
--------------
It is high time physical infrastructures are entrepreneurs and passengers should work in tandem to
Trade unions are
developed on the basis of proper field assessments. implement the road safety measures.
legal. And even if they
Likewise, these actions should be prompt in nature. The
slower in infrastructural development, the more people Anuj Kumar Pokharel weren't, it's ‘innocent until
will have to suffer. New Baneshwor, Kathmandu proven guildy‘.
 The Rising Nepal www.risingnepaldaily.com

WORLD
Czech Republic's
President Milos
Zeman welcomes at
the Prague Castle
in Prague, Czech
2021 November 29
2078 B.S. Mangsir 13 Monday 5
Republic. (Photo: AP)

COVID variant spreads to more countries Russia jails 5 over

AP
London, Nov. 28
The new potentially more
contagious omicron variant of the
coronavirus popped up in more
European countries on Saturday,
just days after being identified in
South Africa, leaving governments
around the world scrambling to stop
the spread.
The U.K. on Saturday tightened
its rules on mask-wearing and on
testing of international arrivals after
finding two cases. New cases were
confirmed Saturday in Germany and
Italy, with Belgium, Israel and Hong
Kong also reporting that the variant
has been found in travellers.
In the U.S., Dr. Anthony Fauci,
the government’s top infectious
diseases expert, said he would not
be surprised if the omicron variant
was already in the United States, too.
“We have not detected it yet, but
when you have a virus that is showing
this degree of transmissibility ... it
almost invariably is ultimately going
to go essentially all over,” Fauci said
on NBC television.
Because of fears that the new
variant has the potential to be more
resistant to the protection offered
by vaccines, there are growing
concerns around the world that
the pandemic and associated
lockdown restrictions will persist
for far longer than hoped.
Nearly two years since the start
of the pandemic that has claimed
more than 5 million lives around the
world, countries are on high alert.
Many have already imposed travel
restrictions on flights from southern
Africa as they seek to buy time to
assess whether the omicron variant
is more transmissible than the current
dominant delta variant.
In Britain, Prime Minister
Boris Johnson said it was necessary
to take “targeted and precautionary
measures” after two people tested
positive for the new variant in
England.
“Right now this is the
responsible course of action to slow
down the seeding and the spread of
this new variant and to maximize our
defences,” he told a news conference.
Among the measures
Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson gestures as he speaks during a press conference in London after cases
of the new COVID-19 variant were confirmed in the UK. 
announced, Johnson said anyone
arriving in England must take a PCR
test for COVID-19 on the second
day after their arrival and self-isolate
until they provide a negative test.
And if someone tests positive for
the omicron variant, then he said
their close contacts will have to self-
isolate for 10 days regardless of their
vaccination status — currently close
contacts are exempt from quarantine
rules if they are fully vaccinated.
He also said mask-wearing in
shops and on public transport will
be required and said the independent
group of scientists that advises the
British government on the rollout
of coronavirus vaccines has been
asked to accelerate the vaccination
program. This could involve
widening the booster program to
younger age groups, reducing the
time period between a second dose
and a booster and allowing older
children to get a second dose.
“From today we’re going to
boost the booster campaign,” he said.
Britain’s Department of Health
said the two cases found in the U.K. were
linked and involved travel from southern
Africa. One of the two new cases was
in the southeastern English town of
Brentwood, while the other was in the
central city of Nottingham. The two
confirmed cases are self-isolating with
their households while contact tracing
and targeted testing takes place.
The British government
also added four more countries —
Angola, Malawi, Mozambique and
Zambia — onto the country’s travel
red list from Sunday. Six others
— Botswana, Eswatini (formerly
Swaziland), Lesotho, Namibia, South
Africa and Zimbabwe — were added
Friday. That means anyone permitted
to arrive from those destinations will
have to quarantine.
Many countries have slapped
restrictions on various southern
African countries over the past
couple of days, including Australia,
Brazil, Canada, the European Union,
Iran, Japan, New Zealand, Thailand
and the United States, in response to
warnings over the transmissibility of
the new variant. This goes against
the advice of the World Health
(Photo: AP)
Organization, which has warned
against any overreaction before the
variant was thoroughly studied.
Despite the banning of flights,
there are mounting concerns that
the variant has already been widely
seeded around the world.
Italy and Germany were the
latest to report confirmed cases of
the omicron variant.
An Italian who had travelled to
Mozambique on business landed in
Rome on Nov. 11 and returned to his
home near Naples. He and five family
members, including two school-age
children, have since tested positive,
the Italian news agency LaPresse
said. All are isolating in the Naples
suburb of Caserta in good condition
with light symptoms.
The variant was confirmed by
Sacco hospital in Milan, and Italy’s
National Health Institute said the
man had received two doses of the
vaccine. Italy’s health ministry is
urging all regions to increase its
tracing of the virus and sequencing
to detect cases of the new variant first
identified in South Africa.
In Germany, the Max von
Pettenkofer Institute, a Munich-
based microbiology centre, said the
omicron variant was confirmed in
two travellers who arrived on a flight
from South Africa on Nov. 24. The
head of the institute, Oliver Keppler,
said that genome sequencing has yet
to be completed, but it is “proven
without doubt that it is this variant,”
German news agency dpa reported.
The Dutch public health
institute said the omicron variant
was “probably found in a number of
the tested persons” who were isolated
after arriving Friday in Amsterdam
on two flights from South Africa.
The institute said in a statement
that further sequencing analysis is
underway to determine for sure that
it is the new variant. The results
were expected Sunday. A total of 61
people were tested.
Israel said it detected the new
strain in a traveller who had returned
from Malawi and was tracing 800
travellers who returned recently
from southern African countries.
And Australia said early Sunday its
scientists were working to determine
whether two people who tested
positive for COVID after arriving
from southern Africa are infected
with the omicron variant.
The variant’s swift spread
among young people in South
Africa has alarmed health
professionals even though there was
no immediate indication whether the
variant causes more severe disease.
A number of pharmaceutical
firms, including AstraZeneca,
Moderna, Novavax and Pfizer, said
they have plans in place to adapt their
vaccines in light of the emergence
of omicron. Pfizer and its partner
BioNTech said they expect to be
able to tweak their vaccine in around
100 days.
Professor Andrew Pollard,
the director of the Oxford Vaccine
Group, which developed the
AstraZeneca vaccine, expressed
cautious optimism that existing
vaccines could be effective at
preventing serious disease from
the omicron variant, noting that
most of the mutations appear to
be in similar regions as those in
other variants.
coal mine disaster
AP
Moscow, Nov. 28
A Russian court
on Saturday ordered five
people to remain in pre-trial
detention for two months
pending an investigation into
a devastating blast in a coal
mine in Siberia that resulted
in dozens of deaths.
Russian authorities
reported 51 deaths after a
methane explosion rocked
the Listvyazhnaya mine
in the Kemerovo region in
southwestern Siberia on
Thursday — 46 miners and
five rescuers. The tragedy
appears to be the deadliest in
Russia since 2010.
The Central District
Court in the city of Kemerovo
ruled to jail the director of
the Listvyazhnaya mine,
Sergei Makhrakov, his
deputy Andrei Molostvov
and section supervisor Sergei
Gerasimenok. They are
facing charges of violating
industrial safety requirements
for hazardous production
facilities that resulted in
multiple deaths. If convicted,
they may be imprisoned for
up to seven years.
Two officials of the local
branch of Rostekhnadzor,
Russia’s state technology and
ecology watchdog — Sergei
Vinokurov and Vyacheslav
Semykin — have also been
jailed for two months on the
charge of negligence that
led to two or more deaths,
punishable by up to seven
years in prison as well.
Law enforcement
officials said Friday that
miners had complained about
the high level of methane
in the mine. Russia’s top
independent news site,
Meduza, reported that this
year authorities suspended the
work of certain sections of the
mine nine times and issued
fines of more than 4 million
rubles (roughly $53,000) for
safety violations.
A total of 285 miners
were in the Listvyazhnaya
mine Thursday morning at
the time of explosion, which
quickly filled the mine with
toxic smoke. A total of 239
people were rescued shortly
after the blast, and more than
60 sought medical assistance
for an assortment of injuries.
Officials on Thursday
said 11 miners and three
rescuers perished while
searching for others in a
remote section of the mine.
Thirty-five miners were still
trapped in the mine when
rescuers were forced to halt
their search several hours
into it because of a buildup
of methane and carbon
monoxide gas.
Three more rescuers
went missing and had been
presumed dead along with the
trapped miners by Thursday
might. However, on Friday
morning, search teams found
one rescuer in the mine who
was still alive and conscious.
He has suffered shock and
carbon monoxide poisoning
of moderate severity and is
undergoing treatment at a
hospital.
Officials have described
his rescue as a “miracle” and
said that finding any other
survivors at that point was
highly unlikely.
Kemerovo Governor
Sergei Tsivilyov on Saturday
announced the resumption of
the search operation, saying
that “we need to lift everybody
(to the surface).” He noted,
however, that rescue crews
must act “cautiously.”
“We don’t have the
right to lose even a single
person more,” Tsivilyov
wrote on the messaging app
Telegram.
Later Saturday, search
teams recovered the bodies
of five miners.

European migration PRISM

officials meet 500 vigilantes gather in Mexico Camera lost in Lake found months later

town, pledge to aid police

AP
Calais, France,Nov. 28
Top European migration officials are
holding an emergency meeting Sunday in the
French port of Calais to find ways to better fight
migrant smuggling, after 27 people died trying
to cross the English Channel to Britain in an
overcrowded inflatable boat.
U.K. officials will be notably absent
from the gathering at the Calais City Hall,
after Wednesday’s sinking prompted a new
political crisis between Britain and France.
The neighbours accuse each other of not
doing enough to deter people from taking the
treacherous journey.
France is carrying out a national organized
crime investigation into the sinking, the deadliest
migration accident on the Channel on record.
Iraqi Kurds and at least one Somali were among
those aboard, though most have not been publicly
identified yet.
Government ministers from Germany, the
Netherlands, Belgium and France will meet in
Calais with officials from the European Union
and EU border agency Frontex and police agency
Europol.
They are focusing on smuggling networks,
who charge from 3,000 to 7,000 euros for the
journey across the Channel. France’s interior
minister, Gérald Darmanin, said a car with
German tags was seized in connection with the
investigation.
Aid groups argue for more humane,
coordinated asylum policies instead of just more
police. At camps along the French coast, clusters
of people from Sudan and Kurds from Iran and
Iraq huddle under the chilly rain, waiting for their
chance to cross the Channel. They’re undeterred
by Wednesday’s deaths or the stepped-up beach
patrols.
The number of migrants trying to cross
the channel in small boats has jumped this year,
amid pandemic travel restrictions and after
Brexit. Overall, however, the number of migrants
arriving in Britain is low compared with other
European countries.
AP
Nuevo Urecho, Nov. 28
Extortion of avocado growers
in western Mexico has gotten so bad
that 500 vigilantes from a so-called
“self-defence” group known as
United Towns, or Pueblos Unidos,
gathered Saturday and pledged to
aid police.
The vigilantes gathered for a
rally in the town of Nuevo Urecho,
in the western state of Michoacan,
armed with AR-15s and other rifles,
as well as a motley collection of
shotguns.
They said that drug cartels like
the Viagras and the Jalisco cartel
have been charging avocado growers
‘war taxes’ of about $1,000 per acre
($2,500 per hectare).
Tired of the extortion demands
and kidnappings, growers and
farmers formed the group in 2020,
and it now claims to have almost
3,000 members.
“Several of us have been
victims of this situation, of
kidnappings, extortions,” said one
masked vigilante leader who asked
his name not be used for fear of
reprisals from the gangs.
For the moment, the vigilantes
appeared willing to respond to a
pledge by Gov. Alfredo Ramirez
Bedolla to disarm the state’s various
‘self-defence’ groups.
“We reached agreements with
the mayor to increase the number of
police” patrolling the area, the vigilante
leader said. “For the moment, we are
putting away our guns, but we will be
on alert to come out and support the
police at any moment.”
Members of the so-called self-defence group known as United Towns or Pueblos Unidos, gather for a
rally in Nuevo Urecho, in the Mexican western state of Michoacan. 
Pueblos Unidos has staged
armed rallies in several towns in
Michoacan over the last year, but
have always said they would rather
have officially constituted security
forces do the work of expelling
criminal gangs.
Mexican law forbids most
civilians from owning almost all
firearms, except for extremely low
calibre hunting rifles or shotguns.
But Michoacan has a history
of armed civilian “self-defence”
vigilante militia movements from
2013 and 2014. Back then vigilantes
managed to chase the dominant
Knights Templar cartel out, but
(Photo: AP)
rival cartels like the Viagras and
the Jalisco cartel have moved in.
Kidnappings, killings and shootings
have prompted thousands to flee
their homes.
The Mexican army has sent
troops to the state, but only to act as
a buffer between the warring cartels,
trying to ensure that neither invades
the other gang’s territory.
But soldiers do little or nothing
about illicit gang activities occurring
just a few hundred yards from their
checkpoints.
That has led Michoacan
residents to once again take up arms,
in the face of rampant extortion by
the Viagras, Jalisco and other gangs.
This time around, the self-
defence movement is mostly
operating in the avocado-growing
regions that were not the epicentre
of the 2013 vigilante uprising.
As avocados have become a
1612 – The Battle of Swally takes place, which loosens
more widespread and lucrative crop,
drug cartels and gangs have taken to
1729 – Natchez Indians massacre 138 Frenchmen, 35 French
extorting protection payments from
growers.
While previous ‘self-defence’
1732 – The magnitude 6.6 Irpinia earthquake causes 1,940 deaths
groups have been infiltrated or taken
over by drug gangs, Pueblos Unidos
1781 – The crew of the British slave ship Zong murders 133
leaders said they were not associated
with any of the warring gangs and are
1783 – A 5.3 magnitude earthquake strikes New Jersey.
willing to put away their guns.
New York: A New York man who lost his GoPro while
jet skiing on Lake Ontario was reunited with the camera
several months later when it was found washed up on a beach.
Ollie Bartholomew, of Westchester County, said he and
his family were jet skiing on the lake to celebrate the Fourth
of July when his GoPro camera came loose from its holder.
"I knew, as I put it there, ah this doesn't feel too sturdy,
I hope it doesn't snap off," Bartholomew told Spectrum News
1. "And within about a minute or two, it sort of pinged off
when I went off a big wave and turned."
Bartholomew said he tried searching for the camera
underwater, but eventually gave it up as lost.
"Knowing there was a lot of footage and nice memories
basically down there in the drink, I was not in the good books
for quite some time," Bartholomew said.
Bear closes front door of home
New Jersey : A New Jersey woman shared video of a
bear abiding by her polite request and closing the front door
of her home.
Susan Kehoe, of Vernon, posted a video to
YouTube showing her opening her front door to reveal a
bear on the stoop.
"Mr. Bear, will you please close my door?" Kehoe
asks the bruin.
Kehoe asks the bear a few more times to close the door,
and the animal grabs the knob in its mouth and closes the door
part of the way. Kehoe continues to make the request until
the bear completely closes the door.
"This bear learned how to close the front door to my
house," Kehoe wrote in the video description.
(Agencies)
Today in History
the Portuguese Empire's hold on India.
women, and 56 children at Fort Rosalie, near the site of
modern-day Natchez, Mississippi.
in the former Kingdom of Naples, southern Italy.
Africans by dumping them into the sea to claim insurance.
Source: www.wikipedia.org
 www.risingnepaldaily.com The Rising Nepal

6
2021 November 29 
2078 B.S. Mangsir 13 Monday
PAGE SIX
Teachers should fulfil
Speaker Sapkota says marginalised responsibility: Poudel
groups should be brought on board By Our Correspondent
Baglung, Nov. 28

Minister for Education, Science and

RSS
Kathmandu, Nov. 28
Speaker of House of Representatives
(HoR) Agni Prasad Sapkota has said
parliament is the living embodiment
of democracy and it is where people
can change their rulers in a peaceful
manner.
"It is where people's represen-
tatives earn trust and respect by
ensuring justice and fairness to the
weaker section, in absence of which
people question whether this dem-
ocratic system even works at all,"
Speaker Sapkota said while address-
ing the 143rd Inter Parliamentary
Union (IPU) Assembly in Madrid,
Spain on Sunday.
In his remarks on the theme
"Contemporary challenges to de-
mocracy: Overcoming division and
building community", Speaker Sap-
kota mentioned democracy works;
and it has to, adding, "We have to
raise people's engagement in the
democratic processes."
"Discussions on overcoming di-
vision to strengthening international
community will go a long way in
addressing national, regional and
global issues in the interest of all.
Throughout the history, people have
strived for participation in decision
making. This explains why democ-
Speaker Agni Prasad Sapkota addressing the 143rd Inter Parliamentary
Union (IPU) Assembly in Madrid, Spain on Sunday.
 (Photo: RSS)
racy has evolved to be the ultimate
form of governance as it gives peo-
ple as much role in the national pol-
icy making as practically possible,"
the Speaker added.
He, however, said that while
prevalent as the most preferred form
of rule, democracy is not without
challenges.
Similarly, Speaker Sapkota was
of the view that heated exchanges,
false data, misleading statistics, an-
ger and frustrations that spread fast
and wide have weakened the trust of
people towards political institutions.
He suggested that the political insti-
tutions should respond effectively to
regain public trust In light of these
ing on improvement of public education and
to regulate the private sector education.
Minister Poudel expressed his commit-
ment to making the Federal Education Act
challenges. Technology Devendra Poudel has said that public as soon as possible. He said that the
Stating that division is not teachers who receive facilities from the state education sector, which was badly affected by
good for the democracy, Sapkota should fulfil their responsibility given by the coronavirus now started picking up its pace,
has mentioned that marginaliza- state. and the students do not have to lose academic
tion as the root cause of the di- Speaking at a press conference organised session.
vision "It is important to include by the Press Centre Baglung on Sunday, Min- Poudel said that work has been started for
them (marginalised groups) in ister Poudel said, “The job of a teacher is to teachers’ hospital, new admission of nursing
decision making. Marginalized teach, not to do politics." and improvement of Trichandra Campus.
groups should be brought into He stressed the need for fulfilling He urged the local governments to coor-
the mainstream of national life." one's duty though the government can- dinate with the federal government if policy
not prevent teachers from enjoying per- reforms are needed. Minister Poudel, who is
He also shared that Nepal’s ini- sonal freedom and believing political also a member of the Standing Committee of
tiatives towards strengthening dem- ideologies. He said that if teachers want- the CPN-Maoist, said that the party should
ocratic institutions by addressing the ed to engage in politics, they should quit unite with other parties having similar ideol-
challenges of marginalisation led to teaching. ogies to make it the top party in upcoming
the formation of an inclusive Con- Minister Poudel said he has been focus- elections.
stituent Assembly, adding that the
Constituent Assembly promulgated
a rights-based Constitution in 2015
that embodies the fundamentals of
Bhattarai stresses unity for nationalism
By Our Correspondent Stating that another type of conflict
participatory and inclusive democ-
Butwal, Nov. 28 would arise in the country in the absence of
racy. "Nepal has made full commit-
national unity, consensus and cooperation,
ment to establish a society founded
Former Prime Minister and Federal Dr. Bhattarai stressed the need for minimum
on the proportional inclusive and
Council chairman of Janata Samajwadi Par- common understanding among all the polit-
participatory principles," Sapkota
ty-Nepal Dr. Baburam Bhattarai has stressed ical parties. He accused the big parties like
reminded.
the need for unity among political parties to the Nepali Congress and CPN-UML of mis-
In his speech, the Speaker said
safeguard nationalism. Speaking at a press leading the people and said that the minimum
that the result of Nepal's new con-
conference organised by the JSP-N Rupen- ideological and moral grounds of those par-
stitution so far has been promising
dehi in Butwal on Sunday, Dr. Bhattarai said ties were weakening.
towards building of a cohesive and
that growing differences among the political The former prime minister said that the
inclusive society. Women now make
parties in Nepal could lead to an increase to two big parties were trying to show their
up one third in the Federal Parlia-
the movement of international power centres. power by spending money, adding that an
ment and about 41 percent at the
Dr. Bhattarai expressed concerns over attempt was still there to confuse the people.
provincial and local levels, Speaker
the lack of attention of political parties to- He urged all political parties to be vigi-
Sapkota mentioned.
wards national independence, protection of lant to discourage the activities of the exter-
sovereignty, development and prosperity. nal power centres.

Delegates in sightseeing as leadership’s Minister Regmi stresses men’s

consensus bid continues participation in gender debates
By Saligram Nepal venue at 10:00 am and we waited for the whole day.”
Sauraha, Nov. 28 Upadhyaya, who has been staying at his relative’s By A Staff Reporter against women is a key element
home in Chitwan, said he rushed to the venue because Kathmandu, Nov. 28 for gender equality, it is very
With no closed session to attend, delegates of 10th on Saturday night Chairman Oli had announced to difficult to end violence against
National Congress of CPN-UML are busy in sightsee- convene closed-door session at 10:00 am sharp and Minister for Women, Chil- women without addressing
ing, shopping, eating and photo sessions. name list of the office bearers and party leadership dren and Senior Citizens Uma all 12 critical areas of gender
The closed session of the 10th National Congress would be made public. Regmi Sunday urged the stake- equality.
on Saturday night had given authority to the party Since the closed session remained uncertain, del- holders of gender equality to Those critical areas include
Chairman KP Sharma Oli to elect office bearers and egates were seen wandering around Sauraha Bazaar assure 50 per cent participation women participation in educa-
party on consensus. all day. Some were roaming around the venue waiting of males in discussions relat- tion, health, economy, women
Following the decision, party Chairman Oli was for the closed session to take place, while others were ing to gender equality to end in decision making, violence
busy the whole day finalizing the list of the office bear- seen busy in book stores and markets. discrimination against women against women and others.
ers and central committee members. Some went for jeep safari and jungle safari in from the grassroots level. Now, the globe has been
Chitwan National Park and others went for sightsee- Minister Regmi said that celebrating 16 days campaign
against gender-based violence.
UML 10th National Congress ing in Sauraha. desired changes could not be development partners not to be der equality must reach each
The BBC, Nepal also organ-
A delegate from Rukum said, "The closed session possible only with the partici- oriented more only to run their household,” Minister Regmi
ised this programme on the
Earlier, on Friday midnight, the incumbent cen- has not started yet and there is no possibility of it hap- pation and awareness of wom- projects but also be serious said.
occasion.
tral committee of CPN-UML decided to increase the pening today. So I decided to take a tour of Sauraha.” en. about accomplishing the re- Rachana Adhikari Bhatta-
At the function, partici-
number of office bearers from 15 to 19 and enlarge the Taking a look at the electronic voting machine set “Therefore, active partic- sponsibility of gender equality. rai, representative of UN Wom- pants suggested launching the
225-member central committee to 301-member one. up at the venue, Dr. Krishna Neupane, a delegate of ipation of males is a must for Although there are many en, Nepal said all stakeholders’ campaign against gender-based
The central committee decided to make such amend- Rupandehi, shared he had a wish to cast vote using gender equality,” she said while issues to address in the sector commitments are a must to violence for the whole year
ments in the party statute after the party chairman Oli a voting machine. “But since the closed session had addressing a national dialogue of gender empowerment, end meet the target of Planet 50-50 rather than celebrating it for
faced a hard time managing a large number of aspi- decided to elect leadership in consensus, my wish will on ‘Generation equality: Trans- of murder, rape and any type by 2030. only 16 days as a ritual.
rants for limited positions of office bearers. Accord- remain unfulfilled.” lating global acceleration plan of violence against women is Nepal should accelerate ac- The global slogan of the
ingly, Chairman Oli had been making attempts forge Recalling the party’s previous national congress, to the country level’ organised a must for now because many tion plan in a collaborative way campaign this year is “Or-
consensus among topmost leaders. Neupane said there was no such uncertainty in the past by Beyond Beijing Committee, women are still falling prey to from bottom-up approach to ange the World: End Violence
Since the closed-door session of the 10th National conventions. Nepal. such violence. meet the target of 2030, Bhat- against Women Now”. Like-
Congress was still uncertain, the delegates were busy Although he expected the leadership to be elect- Minister Regmi also asked “Many women face phys- tarai said. wise, the national slogan of the
all day in sightseeing and photo sessions. ed through voting, the closed session decided to elect the development partners for ical and mental violence Anjana Shakya, founder of campaign is “Let’s start from
Shiva Prasad Upadhyaya, a delegate of 10th Na- leadership by consensus. He recalled he had cast vote result-oriented works. She ap- from their family members; Beyond Beijing Committee, home: End violence against
tional Congress from Achham, said, “We reached the in the 7th, 8th and 9th national congress. pealed to the organisations of therefore, campaign of gen- Nepal, said though violence women”.

Mahalaxmi organises Magnitude-7.5 Ghimire nominated

Construction of Expressway... NC convention...
The army has set up 10 base
camps at Khokana, Makhkhu-
besi, Sisneri, Mahadevtar, Dhe-
dre, Lendanda, Budune, Rajdam-
ar, Baghdev and Nijgadh.
In the last fiscal year, the
government allocated Rs. 8.96
billion. However, the overall
progress of the project is 16.10
per cent for now and the financial
progress is just 14.51 per cent.
The army has acquired a total
of 4,761 ropanis of private land
and compensation of 411 ropanis
land has yet to be distributed due
to conflict. The army has stated
that there is a problem in acquir-
ing eight per cent land in Khoka-
na-Bungmati area due to local
disputes.
A committee formed under
the coordination of the joint sec-
retary of the National Planning
Commission to resolve the dis-
pute has already submitted its
report. A sub-committee formed
by the Development and Tech-
nology Committee of the Parlia-
ment has also conducted an on-
site study.
A senior military official on
condition of anonymity com-
mented that the Khokana dispute
has to be resolved at the politi-
cal level, adding that a solution
should be found at the higher po-
litical level. "Our understanding
is that it should be resolved at the
political level, not at the adminis-
trative level. If this dispute is not
resolved, the construction of the
expressway will be directly af-
fected," the official said. Nothing
has been done in Khokana for a
year now.
Likewise, the army has so
far cut down 27,007 trees along
the site where the expressway is
to be constructed, while 11,657
trees remain to be cut down.
So far, the army has planted
a total of 42,823 trees to replace
them. Some of these are also
fruit trees. Now, there is a plan to
plant more trees in 152 hectares
of land, said Pahadi.
NC leader Ananda Prasad Dhungana, Ram Krish-
na Yadav, NC vice president Bimalendra Nidhi and
leader Mahendra Yadav inaugurated the general con-
vention of Constituency 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively.
The leaders urged party rank and file to elect new
leadership forging consensus even the party was a
democratic one. In Sarlahi, ward level general con-
vention started on Sunday. The general convention
was halted earlier due to active membership row.
Our correspondent said that leadership got elect-
ed unanimously in more than 150 wards among 200
wards of 20 municipalities. District Election Officer
of the NC Bharat Rawat informed that in rest of the
wards, new leadership would be elected through elec-
tion. He said voting was scheduled for Monday.
Likewise, ward level general convention of Bara-
la Municipality Ward 9 Achalghadh was put off as
two disputing sides quarrelled.
In the general convention, NC leader and Prov-
ince 2 government Minister Birendra Prasad Singh’s
bodyguard fired in the air to take the situation under
control. Officer Rawat said in the ward, the election
would be hold on Monday by bringing both sides to
consensus.
In Sarlahi NC establishment faction led by party
district chair Nagendra Kumar Raya and rival faction
led by former district chair Laxman Raya are in dis-
pute since finalisation of the active membership list.
insurance awareness
programmes
By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, Nov. 28
Mahalaxmi Life Insurance Limited or-
ganised 'Mahalaxmi with Youth' programme
in Rajapur and Gulariya of Bardiya and Dhu-
likhel Medical College in Kavre and Birgunj
in Parsa last week.
The insurance awareness programme
was organised on Tuesday in Babai Multi-
ple Campus in Gulariya where 105 students
participated. Regional Chief of the company,
Tejendra Neupane, was the trainer in the pro-
gramme.
Likewise, a programme was organised
in Amar Sahid Multiple Campus in Rajapur.
It was attended by 95 students. Another pro-
gramme was held at BPC College in Birgunj
same day.
According to Chief Executive Officer of
the company, Ramesh Kumar Bhattarai, 52
students of MBBS, BDS and management
were trained at Dhulikhel Medical College
on Saturday.
earthquake strikes
northern Peru
AP
Lima, Peru, Nov. 28
An earthquake with a pre-
liminary magnitude of 7.5 struck
northern Peru early Sunday, dam-
aging some buildings and block-
ing several roads with rubble.
While the quake was extreme-
ly strong, it was relatively deep
— measured at 112 kilometers (70
miles) — which usually reduc-
es the possibility of damage and
casualties. The quake occurred at
5:52 a.m. (1052 GMT) and its epi-
center was in the Amazon region,
42 kilometers (26 miles) north
northwest of the city of Barranca.
It had a magnitude of 7.5, accord-
ing to the U.S. Geological Survey.
Part of a 16th century church
in La Jalca district in the Amazon
region collapsed and three people
were lightly injured, Mayor Wal-
ter Culqui told Peru’s RPP radio.  cember 10 to 12.
coordinator of NC
election committee
By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, Nov. 28
Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deu-
ba, who is also president of the Nepali
Congress, on Sunday nominated senior
advocate Gopal Krishna Ghimire as co-
ordinator of the Central Election Com-
mittee of the party.
Ghimire was nominated to the post
after accepting the resignation tendered
by incumbent coordinator senior ad-
vocate Mahadev Prasad Yadav citing
health issue.
The NC in its statement said that
resignation of Yadav was accepted by
party president Deuba on Sunday as per
the party’s statute.
Ghimire was a senior member
of NC’s Central Election Committee
formed for the 14th general convention.
The 14th general convention of the
NC being held in Kathmandu from De-

Four win ‘Little and Teen Prince
and Princess International’
By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, Nov. 28
Four winners were selected
for the Little and Teen Prince
and Princess International -2021
competition held at the Jamal-
based Rastriya Naach Ghar late
Saturday evening.
Ridam Nepal became
the winner of Little Prince
International junior competition.
Alex Maher was chosen as the
first runner up and Alice Aryal
the second runner-up.
Similarly, Aayu Khatri
bagged the top title for Little
Princess International Junior.
In this competition, Saralya
Bajracharya became the
first runner-up and Arohi
Kharel became the second
runner-up.
Similarly, Spandan
Tripathi was declared the winner
in the Little Prince International
senior category. Similarly,
Shubham Thapa and Dibbhans
Aryal became the first and
second runners-up, respectively.
On behalf of Teen
Princess International, Krishna
Josephine Baker, 1st Black woman US based dancing and singing reality shows begin
honored in French Pantheon
AP
Paris, Nov. 28
France is inducting
Josephine Baker — Missouri-
born cabaret dancer, French
World War II spy and civil rights
activist — into its Pantheon, the
first Black woman honored in
the final resting place of France’s
most revered luminaries.
On Tuesday, a coffin
carrying soils from the U.S.,
France and Monaco — places
where Baker made her mark
— will be deposited inside the
domed Pantheon monument
overlooking the Left Bank of
Paris. Her body will stay in
Monaco, at the request of her
family.
French President Emmanuel
Macron decided on her entry
into the Pantheon, responding
to a petition lobbying for her
“pantheonization.” In addition to
honoring an exceptional figure
in French history, the move is
meant to send a message against
racism and celebrate U.S.-French
connections.
“She embodies, before
anything, women’s freedom,”
Laurent Kupferman, the author
Horoscope
Aries: Improving your
financial status could be the
driving force in your life now,
whether you’re saving for something
big or simply have a taste for the finer
things in life.
Cancer: Your powerful domestic
instincts could be heightened even
further today. The homebody Moon,
your ruling planet, makes helpful angles to thoughtful
Mercury and industrious Saturn, inspiring you to
tidy up your living space or stock the fridge.
Libra: Improving your
financial status could be the
driving force in your life now,
whether you’re saving for something
big or simply have a taste for the finer
things in life.
Capricorn: Brilliant ideas could
be coming to you fast and furious,
so now is not the time to keep
your thoughts under wraps! By making
pitches and proposals, you can establish
yourself as a great innovator.
ENTERTAINMENT
Khadki was declared the
winner. In this competition,
Prasanna Acharya and Bibhuti
Basnet were selected as the
first and second runners-up
respectively.
In the final competition
organised by Radiant Event
Management, actress Sanchita
of the petition for the move, told
The Associated Press.
Baker was born in 1906,
in St. Louis, Missouri. At 19,
having already divorced twice,
had relationships with men and
women, and started a performing
career, she moved to France
following a job opportunity.
“She arrives in France
in 1925, she’s an emancipated
woman, taking her life in her
hands, in a country of which she
doesn’t even speak the language,”
Kupferman said.
She met immediate success
on the Theatre des Champs-
Elysees stage, where she
appeared topless and wearing
a famed banana belt. Her
show, embodying the colonial
time’s racist stereotypes about
Taurus: Today’s lively energy
could give rise to some
healthy debates. You may
not mind a clash of opinions, as long
as everyone expresses themselves
respectfully.
Leo: Financial and emotional
support may be coming your
way as protective Mars in your
4th House of Family trines sympathetic
Neptune in your 8th House of Shared
Resources.
Scorpio: You may be feeling an
urge to step out of the shadows and
into the light. Brave Mars is in your
sign and forming a beneficial angle to idealistic
Neptune in your expression sector, encouraging
and inspiring you to speak your truth.
Aquarius: You’re being beckoned
by the stars to fulfill your career
ambitions. While action-oriented
Mars is in your professional sector and
connecting positively with visionary Neptune
in your money sector.
Luitel, film director Diwakar
Bhattarai, entrepreneur Rosi
Khushi Pathak, and lyricist and
poet Nilima Maskey were the
judges.
According to the
organisers, the competition is
organised with the aim of honing
the talents of school children
African women, caused both
condemnation and celebration.
“She was that kind of
fantasy: not the Black body of
an American woman but of an
African woman,” Theatre des
Champs-Elysees spokesperson
Ophélie Lachaux told the AP.
“And that’s why they asked
Josephine to dance something
‘tribal,’ ‘savage,’ ‘African’-like.”
She became a French
citizen after her marriage in
1937 to industrialist Jean Lion,
a Jewish man who later suffered
from anti-Semitic laws of the
collaborationist Vichy regime.
In September 1939, as
France and Britain declared war
against Nazi Germany, Baker
got in touch with the head of
the French counterintelligence
services. She started working as
an informant, traveling, getting
close to officials and sharing
information hidden on her music
sheets.
Researcher and historian
Géraud Létang said Baker lived
“a double life between, on the
one side, the music hall artist, and
on the other side, another secret
life, later becoming completely
illegal, of intelligence agent.”
Tarot.com
Gemini: Your intuition may be
quite powerful now, particularly
regarding your career. If you’re
longing to change jobs, this is a great time to
send out applications, go on interviews, or
apply for business loans.
Virgo: Two heads are better than
one right now. Working with your
best friend or business associate
can help cut your work in half, although you
might hear some incisive criticism from them
regarding your methods.
Sagittarius: You may prefer
keeping a lower profile than
usual at the moment. Even if your
presence is in demand, devoting yourself to
domestic pleasures might feel more fulfilling
than going out.
Pisces: Many lovely opportunities
may be yours for the taking
right now. While enterprising
Mars is in your 9th House of Learning
and Expanding and beaming support to
whimsical Neptune in your sign.
The Rising Nepal
aged between 9 and 15 years.
The four winners have
received various gifts along
with the titles. According to
the organisers, all the winners
will represent Nepal in the Little
and Teen Prince and Princess
International to be held in Bali,
Indonesia.
By A Staff Reporter
Jhapa, Nov. 28
Two reality shows from the
US, Mero Dance Cup USA-4’ and
‘Mero Voice Cup USA-2’ were
jointly inaugurated at Beldangi
Refugee Camp in Damak, Jhapa,
on Saturday.
The reality shows were
jointly inaugurated by Chief
Minister of Province-1 Rajendra
Rai, President of Intra National
Welfare and Support Foundation
of America Dilli Adhikari, actor
Dilip Rayamajhi, actress Keki
Adhikari, singer Pramodh Kharel,
choreographer Shankar BC,
Narman Rai and others amid a
grand ceremony.
It is informed that both
reality shows will be auditioned in
the US this January and the forms
of both the reality shows were also
opened.
Inaugurating both the
reality shows, Chief Minister
Rajendra Rai said that these two
programmes were organised to
preserve the Nepali language
and culture and to attract the new
generation of Nepalis living in
the United States and Canada to
Nepali language.
He said that everyone, no
matter where they are living,
Cartoon
Short film competition
on caste discrimination
to be held
By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, Nov. 28
In collaboration with the
Ministry of Law, Justice and
Parliamentary Affairs and UNDP,
Film Directors Guilds of Nepal
has announced a short film
competition against caste
discrimination.
According to
information issued by
the Film Director Guilds
and UNDP, the film will
have to contain the issues
related to the abolition of
caste system within three
minutes.
The film should
highlight the understanding
of the caste system and the
problems invited by it and
to implement existing laws
in the abolition of caste
system, read a statement
issued by the UNDP.
Everyone will be able to
participate in the competition.
Technical quality of the video
should be up to 1080 and the
film taken by mobile will also
be accepted in the competition,
inform the organiser.
should preserve Nepali language
and culture wherever they are.
Chief Minister Rai also
promised to hold talks with
the central government on the
management of the remaining
Bhutanese refugees in Nepal. At
the same time, Minister Rai also
inaugurated the ‘Senior Citizens
Day Care Center’ sought by the
Foundation at Beldangi Camp.
More than three dozen artistes
from Kathmandu presented their
art at the inauguration ceremony
on Saturday.
Speaking at the event,
www.risingnepaldaily.com
2021 November 29
2078 B.S. Mangsir 13 Monday
Movies, animation,
voice over, silent or montage,
message conveying scenes
may also participate in the
competition. However, the
notice states that the video,
which hurts or accuses
the community, cannot be
encouraged.
Interested participants
should send a video to
the designated address by
December 10.
The best three films will
President of Intra National
Welfare and Support Foundation
of America Dilli Adhikari said that
the foundation had been running
Mero Dance Cup USA for four
years and Mero Voice Cup USA
for two years.
The inaugural programme
was held in Nepal this time to
spread the competition worldwide
and to have participations of Nepali
and Nepali speakers in the United
States and Canada, said Adhikari.
“Even though we do not
have Nepali citizenship, this is
our identity, so we have been
7
be selected with 50 per cent of
the feedback received on social
media and 50 per cent of the
judges’ evaluation.
The video will be posted
on UNDP’s page and will
be evaluated based on the
audience, interaction and
impact of the film, according
to UNDP.
The first, second and third
films will receive Rs. 200,000,
Rs. 150,000 and Rs. 50,000,
respectively.
organising this competition with
importance for the preservation
of Nepali language and culture,”
said Adhikari.
He also expressed his pain as
a refugee in the past. He also said
that Nepali-speaking Bhutanese
refugees in Jhapa should either
be given Nepali citizenship or
the government of Nepal should
provide assistance for third country
resettlement. He also demanded
that the government should
arrangement to send the refugees
to Bhutan if they want to return
to Bhutan.
 www.risingnepaldaily.com The Rising Nepal

8 2021 November 29
2078 B.S. Mangsir 13 Monday
SPORTS
UAE beat Nepal
to advance into
global qualifiers
Lama give Police
By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, Nov 28

The poor batting and bowling

shattered Nepal’s dream to book a ticket
first victory
By A Staff Reporter
to the global qualifiers following their Kathmandu, Nov. 28

Photo: AP
48-run defeat against the United Arab
Emirates (UAE) in ICC Women’s T20 A lone goal from substitute
World Cup Asian Region Qualifiers in Suman Lama helped Nepal
Police Club register their first

Dubai on Sunday.
With a victory over Nepal, UAE
topped the league table with 10 points
and qualified for the global qualifiers.
UAE remained invincible by winning
all of their five matches in the regional
qualifiers. The defeat meant, Nepal
collected six points to occupy the third
position. Hong Kong registered 35-run
win over Kuwait to elevate at the second
place with eight points.
If Nepal defeated the UAE by a
difference of 10-run or 10-ball, Nepal
would have made it to the global qualifiers.
After being invited to bat first, UAE
garnered 127 runs losing five wickets in
20 overs. Nepal, in reply, were dismissed
for 79 runs in 19.4 overs.
Samaira Dharnidharka was the pick
of the bowler after she dismissed four
batters of Nepal.
Chamani Seneviratna and Khushi
Sharma grabbed two wickets apiece.
Except for Indu Barma (20-ball
15) and Sita Rana Magar (8-ball 13), no
other Nepali batters could touch double-
digit scores.
Earlier, Chamani Seneviratna
smashed a half-century with 36-ball 52
for the host. Her batting included seven
boundaries.
Opener Theertha Satish hit three
balls to the rope in her 47 runs off 46 balls
contribution. Kavisha Egodage’s cameo
included 22 runs off 27 balls for the host.
Kabita Kunwar grabbed two wickets
while Sabnam Rai, Sita Rana Magar and
Sangita Rai dismissed one batsman each
of the UAE.
victory at Martyr’s Memorial A
Division League following their
1-0 win over Jawalakhel Youth
Club 1-0 at Dashrath Stadium,
Kathmandu on Sunday.
Rup Bahadur Lama failed
to put Jawalakhel ahead in
the 39th minute. Police goalie
Satrughan Kumar Chaudhary
warded off Lama’s free-kick
from a 30-yard.
Police squandered a chance
in the 40th minute after unmarked
striker Tej Tamang’s closed
range strike was punched away
by Jawalakhel’s goalie Tikendra
Singh Thapa.
Custodian Thapa again
rescued Jawalakhel with a punch
save to Paswan’s strike in the
62nd minute from a 40-yard
distance.
P as w an again mis s ed
another chance three minutes
later as his fine header from
outside the box rebounded from
the first bar.
Jawalakhel’s Santa
Bahadur followed the same suit
as his header rebounded from the
second pole in an open net in the
67th minute.
Lama, who replaced
Buddha Bal Tamang in 51
minutes, broke the deadlock
for Police in the 70th minute
on his solo effort. Lama scored
a stunning goal from the edge
Players of Jawalakhel Youth Club and Nepal Police Club in action during Martyr’s Memorial A Division League
match at Dasaratha Stadium in Kathmandu on Sunday. (Photo: Bikash/TRN)
of the box in the acute pass off
Paswan.
Police Coach Anant Thapa
said all teams in this season are
tough for them. “We are here
for three points. We succeeded
in it after Suman Lama’s goal.
We also created a couple of
goal-scoring chances against
Jawalakhel.” Jawalakhel Coach
Kishore K.C said they wanted a
surprise result against Police but
failed on it.
“I am happy with the
performance of my boys. Police
are successful on a counter
attack,” Coach K.C said.
Brigade Boys Club will
meet New Road Team in the
first match and Tribhuvan Army
Football Club will encounter
defending champion Machhindra
Football Club in the second
match on Monday.
NZ trail India
by 280 runs
AP
Kanpur, Nov. 28
Shreyas Iyer and
Wriddhiman Saha struck half-
centuries before India declared
its second innings on 234-7 on
day four of the first test against
New Zealand to set the tourists
a target of 284 in Kanpur.
Iyer scored 65 runs,
while Saha was unbeaten on
61 runs as they resurrected
the Indian innings from a
precarious 51-5.
At stumps, New Zealand
was on 4-1 with Tom Latham
on 2 and William Sommerville
on nought after losing Will
Young (2) shortly before the
close of play.
Earlier, India had
reached 84-5 at lunch after
Kyle Jamieson (3-40) and Tim
Southee (3-75) ran through
the Indian top-order in the
morning.
Cheteshwar Pujara
(22) nicked off his gloves
down leg side off Jamieson.
Southee had Mayank Agarwal
(17) caught at slip and then
trapped Ravindra Jadeja lbw
for nought.
Azaj Patel (1-60) trapped
Ajinkya Rahane (4) lbw to
reduce India to 51-5 after
starting from an overnight
14-1.
Then, Iyer put on 52
runs for the sixth wicket with
Ravichandran Ashwin (32)
on either side of lunch and
rescued the Indian innings.
Following his debut hundred
in the first innings, Iyer’s half-
century in the second innings
came off 125 deliveries and
included eight fours and a six.
Sunil Gavaskar was the
last Indian batsman to score 50-
plus in both innings of his debut
test, a feat he managed against
the West Indies in 1971.
New Zealand will need
280 runs on the final day for
victory. India scored 345 in the
first innings thanks to Iyer’s
105 and New Zealand was
bowled out for 296 in reply
as Axar Patel took 5-62 on
day three.

Barca register first La Liga away win Sudur Paschim Weather

AFP
Madrid, Nov. 28
Barcelona notched their first
away win in La Liga this season in
Xavi Hernandez’s first away game in
charge as late goals from Memphis
Depay and Philippe Coutinho secured a
3-1 victory over Villarreal on Saturday.
Barca had gone five away
matches in the league without a win
but Xavi had the magic touch, with
the 41-year-old overseeing his second
victory out of two in La Liga, either side
of a midweek goalless draw at home
to Benfica in the Champions League.
The score at La Ceramica
flattered Barca, who could easily have
lost a frantic game in which Villarreal
spurned a number of excellent chances,
only to commit a dreadful mistake at
the back that allowed Depay to score
in the 88th minute.
Coutinho added a third from the
penalty spot in injury-time after Samuel
Chukwueze had earlier cancelled out
Frenkie de Jong’s opener early in the
second half.
Liverpool rout Southampton
Liverpool crushed Southampton
4-0 on Saturday to put pressure on
Premier League leaders Chelsea.
Steven Gerrard made it two wins
Barcelona's Memphis Depay celebrates
after scoring his side's second goal against
Villarreal during the La Liga soccer
match in Spain, Saturday. (Photo: AP)
out of two as Aston Villa boss with Napoli and AC Milan, who are level
a 2-1 win at Crystal Palace while the on 32 points.
matches between Norwich and Wolves Atalanta strengthened their hold
and Brighton and Leeds both ended on fourth place and Serie A’s final
goalless. Champions League spot thanks to
Colombian Zapata’s seventh goal in
Inter on leaders’ heels as many games in all competitions in
Inter Milan moved to within the 28th minute in Turin.
one point of the Serie A summit on Atalanta are six points ahead of
Saturday thanks to a 2-0 win over their closest rivals for fourth spot Roma
Venezia, while Duvan Zapata piled on while Juve sit a further point back
the misery for Juventus who are reeling in eighth after the latest uninspiring
from a probe into their accounts. display which led to them being
It was another composed display whistled off by furious fans who
from the champions which puts them watched their team lose for the fifth
right on the heels of league leaders time this league season.
bag first win
By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, Nov. 28
Province Sudur Paschim
trounced Province Karnali by ten
wickets to claim their first win
while Province No. 2 claimed six
wickets victory over Province
Bagmati at the U19 National
Tournament on Sunday.
Electing to field first at
Mulpani Ground, Sudur Paschim
dismantled Karnali for 66 runs
in 16.5 overs. Aakash Chand,
Narayan Joshi and Sher Malla
claimed three wickets each to
constrain Karlanli for a low score.
Prakash Jaishi (15), Rupak
Dahal (11) and Ramesh Budha
(12) were the double digit scorers
for Karnali.
Sudur Paschim, in reply,
achieved the victory in 12.1 overs
scoring 69 runs. Captain Khadak
Bohora chipped in not out 42-ball
41 and Naresh Bhatta collected
not out 31-ball 16 to ease Sudur
Paschim to victory.
At TU Cricket Ground,
Bagmati accumulated 253 runs
being all out in 49.3 overs. Province
No. 2 rode on a century of Santosh
Karki to achieve the victory by
scoring 255 runs in 41 overs losing
four wickets.
Karki bludgeoned with three
sixes and 14 boundaries in his
115-ball 111 contribution. Captain
Bibek Yadav also clubbed seven
maximums and six fours to chip in
with not out 73-ball 86. Rohan BK
(39-ball 26) also contributed to the
victory of Province No. 2.
Tilak Bhandari had two
wickets for Bagmati. Earlier,
half-centuries from Opener Bipin
Shahi and Swapnil Adhikari helped
Bagmati accumulate big scores.
Shahi collected 59 runs
off 83 balls and middle-order
batter Adhikari batted five balls
for a maximum and six for the
boundaries in his 83-ball 85 knock.
Pratik Shrestha (15), Farid Khan
(11) and Bibek Magar (11) also
added runs for Bagmati.
The win put Province No.
2 at the third position with four
points. Province No.1 and Province
Lumbini, with equal six points, are
at the first and second positions of
the standings.
Monday
Sunrise at 6:36 am
Sunset at 5:09 pm
Forecast for Nepal Sunday's Weather Record
(Monday) Max. Min. Rain
Stations temp. (C) temp. (C) (mm)
Partly to generally cloudy in Dipayal 25.0 12.0 0.0
the hill areas of the country Dadeldhura 17.7 6.2 0.0
and partly cloudy in the rest of Dhangadi 26.0 12.0 0.0
the country. Chances of light Birendranagar 21.3 8.7 0.0
snowfall at one or two places of
Nepalgunj 26.5 12.6 0.0
Jumla 18.0 -3.5 0.0
the high mountaineous region. Ghorahi 24.5 9.8 0.0
Pokhara 22.6 10.0 0.0
Bhairahawa 30.6 13.0 0.0
Simara 27.6 14.5 0.0
Kathmandu 21.4 7.1 0.0
Okhaldhunga 20.2 8.0 0.0
Taplejung 18.2 7.2 0.0
Dhankuta 22.1 10.6 0.0
Biratnagar 29.0 13.5 0.0
Jomsom 14.5 1.0 0.0*
Dharan 27.8 14.8 0.0*
Lumle 17.5 6.5 0.0*
Expected Temp.: 19 - 21 °C Jankapur 29.2 14.5 0.0*
Rain Probability: ...% Jiri 17.2 1.5 0.0*
NEPAL RASTRA BANK
FOREIGN EXCHANGE DEPARTMENT
EXCHANGE RATES
November 29, 2021
CURRENCY UNIT BUYING SELLING
Indian Rupee 100 Rs. 160.00 Rs. 160.15
Open Market Exchange Rates
For the purpose of Nepal Rastra Bank
CURRENCY UNIT BUYING SELLING
U.S. Dollar 1 Rs. 119.50 Rs. 120.10
Euro 1 Rs. 135.26 Rs. 135.94
Pound Sterling 1 Rs. 159.44 Rs. 160.24
Swiss Franc 1 Rs. 129.32 Rs. 129.96

Lewandowski tipped for Ballon d’Or

AFP
Paris, Nov. 28
Robert Lewandowski threatens to deny
Lionel Messi a record-extending seventh
Ballon d’Or title as the prestigious awards
ceremony returns Monday after it was
cancelled last year because of the pandemic.
new campaign.
“’Lewy’ has to win the thing on
Monday when you see the way he is playing
at the moment,” Mueller said of a player
who has already scored 25 times in 20
appearances this season.
Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have
combined to win 11 of the past 12 editions of
While Messi has endured a stop-start
beginning to life at Paris Saint-Germain,
the Argentine bagged 30 league goals in his
farewell season at Barcelona and also won
the Copa del Rey.
Further strengthening his case was
a first major international trophy in July,
as Argentina beat rivals Brazil to win the
and tennis star Rafael Nadal following a
tremendous year with Real Madrid.
However the France star this week
received a one-year suspended sentence for
complicity in a bid to blackmail his former
international team-mate Mathieu Valbuena
with a sex tape.
Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland
Australian Dollar 1 Rs. 85.14 Rs. 85.57
Canadian Dollar 1 Rs. 93.44 Rs. 93.91
Singapore Dollar 1 Rs. 87.16 Rs. 87.59
Japanese Yen 10 Rs. 10.54 Rs. 10.60
Chinese Yuan 1 Rs. 18.69 Rs. 18.79
Saudi Arab Riyal 1 Rs. 31.85 Rs. 32.01
Qatari Riyal 1 Rs. 32.62 Rs. 32.79
Thai Bhat 1 Rs. 3.54 Rs. 3.56
UAE Dirham 1 Rs. 32.53 Rs. 32.70
Malaysian Ringgit 1 Rs. 28.19 Rs. 28.33

The Bayern Munich and Poland striker the Ballon d’Or, the lone exception in 2018 Copa America at the Maracana -- ending the -- viewed as Ballon d’Or winners of the South Korean Won 100 Rs. 9.99 Rs. 10.04
pilfered a Bundesliga record 41 goals in just when Luka Modric helped Real Madrid to country’s 28-year wait for the title. future -- also feature alongside Neymar
Swedish Kronar 1 Rs. 13.04 Rs. 13.11
29 games last season to eclipse the long- another Champions League triumph and Ronaldo, the Champions League’s and Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah, the

Danish Kronar 1 Rs. 18.19 Rs. 18.28

standing mark set by the late Gerd Mueller.
Lewandowski, 33, scooped FIFA’s
prize for best male player of 2020 and
has the backing of both coach Julian
Nagelsmann and Bayern team-mate
Thomas Mueller after a prolific start to the
inspired Croatia to the World Cup final.
“Robert deserves to win it, because
in my view he has been more unbelievably
consistent than any other player,”
Nagelsmann said last month in an interview
with Munich newspaper Abendzeitung.
all-time top scorer, has struck in all five
games in Europe during his second spell at
Manchester United but appears an outside
contender for a sixth Ballon d’Or.
Karim Benzema received support
from Thierry Henry, Zinedine Zidane
leading Premier League scorer this term.
Barcelona captain Alexia Putellas,
the UEFA women’s player of the year, is a
leading candidate to succeed 2019 Ballon
d’Or winner Megan Rapinoe. The American
was not among the 20 nominees.
Hong Kong Dollar 1 Rs. 15.32 Rs. 15.40
Kuwaiti Dinar 1 Rs. 395.11 Rs. 397.09
Bahrain Dinar 1 Rs. 316.97 Rs. 318.56
Note: Under the present system the open market exchange rates quoted by different
banks may differ.

Published daily by Executive Chairman Bishnu Prasad Subedi for the Gorkhapatra Corporation • Printed at G.S. Press, Kathmandu • Acting Editor-in-Chief : Bhimsen Thapaliya
Phone: Editorial 4222279 • Advertisement 4227493, 4231394 E-mail:mgorkhapatra@gmail.com • Distribution 4220638 • Fax : 977-1-4244428 • E-mail : trnfeatures@hotmail.com • Registered No. 29/028/022 G.P.O. 30/053/54
Four win ‘Little and Teen Prince and ALL BE HAPPY, ALL BE WELL Biratnagar Edition Ending poverty condition for
Princess International’: P.7 socialism: FM Sharma: P.2

Vol. LVI, No. 341 | November 29, 2021 | Mangsir 13, 2078 | Nepal Sambat 1142 | Kachhalaga Dashami | Monday | www.risingnepaldaily.com | Pages 8 | Rs. 5.00

WHO asks South-East Asian

countries to be vigilant
against Omicron variant
By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, Nov. 28
In view of surge in COVID-19 cases
elsewhere globally and detection of new
variant of concern Omicron, the World
Health Organisation (WHO) Sunday ap-
pealed to countries in South-East Asia
Region to scale up surveillance, strength-
en public health and social measures,
and enhance vaccination coverage.
“Though COVID-19 cases have
been declining in most countries of our
Region, the surge in cases elsewhere
in the world and confirmation of a new
Variant of Concern, is a reminder of the
persisting risk and the need for us to con-
tinue to do our best to protect against the
Local fishermen sailing boat for fishing in Rapti River near Kasara of Chitwan. virus and prevent its spread. At no cost
(Photo: Sujan Gurung/TRN) should we let our guards down,” said
Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional
Director,WHO South-East Asia Region.
Daily COVID-19
cases drop to 154
By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, Nov. 28
The Ministry of Health and Population
(MoHP) Sunday confirmed 158 new cases
of COVID-19. Of them, 154 were detected
through PCR tests and four through anti-
gen tests.
The nationwide COVID-19 tally
through PCR method reached 820,878 and
that through antigen tests reached 95,472.
Of the total 8,918 tests conducted in
the last 24 hours, 6,604 were Real-Time
Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR)
while 2,314 were antigen tests, informed
the MoHP.

Construction of expressway tunnels

The surge in cases and
confirmation of a new
variant is a reminder of
According to the MoHP, the Kath-
mandu Valley recorded 61 new infections
over that period. Of these, 42 cases were
confirmed in Kathmandu, six in Bhaktapur
and 13 in Lalitpur. In the past 24 hours, 31

to begin from mid-December

By Purushottam P. Khatri
Kathmandu, Nov. 28
The much-awaited construction
works of three tunnels of the Kath-
mandu-Terai/Madhesh Expressway,
one of the national pride projects that
has a strategic importance, is about to
begin from second week of Decem-
ber, 2021.
According to the Office of the
Fast Track under the command and
operation of Nepali Army Headquar-
ters, the construction works of 6.5 km
tunnels will begin from next month,
according to Lieutenant Colonel
Bishwo Bandhu Pahadi, chief techni-
cal officer of the project implementa-
tion and operations.
The whole construction respon-
sibility of the project is completely
under the command and control of
Nepali Army. And for the task of
completing bridges and tunnel works,
it had already selected Yooshin Engi-
neering Corporation (Korea) JV as an
international consultant.
The Army has said that it will
complete the contract process of roads
and 87 sky bridges of Asian standards
with a length of 11 km within current
Fiscal Year (next July), 2022 with the
aim of completing the project within
the stipulated time (2081 BS).
According to the detailed project
report, the project should be com-
pleted in the next two FYs if enough
budget is made available by the gov-
ernment. The land compensation
disputes seen in Khokana area must
also be resolved in time to complete
the project in time, said Pahadi.
In case the project faces budget
crunch and land compensation debate
protracted, the construction of the ex-
pressway will take another two years,
it said.
So far, Rs. 25.40 billion has been
spent for the expressway, according
to the Fast Track Office.
Now the construction of the ex-
pressway will have to be completed
at a cost of Rs. 150 billion. The gov-
ernment has allocated Rs. 8.93 billion
for the expressway this year.
The Army has already sent a pro-
posal to the Prime Minister's Office,
the Ministry of Finance and the Na-
tional Planning Commission through
the Ministry of Defence to provide at
least Rs. 30 billion for the comple-
tion of all contracts for bridges and
roads.
Military officials said they have
been assured that the necessary bud-
get will be provided during the work.
The government had handed over
the management of the expressway
project to the army on May 4, 2017.
The government had approved the
DPR on August 18, 2019 after two
years of the handing over of the
project.
From the date of the endorsement
of the DPR of the project, the army
aimed to complete and hand over the
project to the government in four and
a half years. However, the army has
been working for the construction of
the project since 2017, said Pahadi.
The expressway is being con-
structed on par with the standards of
Asian Highway.
"All types of contracting pro-
cess will be completed by this fiscal
year and the remaining works of the
project will get momentum from
next fiscal year (July)," Pahadi told
reporters at Makhkhubesi site of the
expressway.
The total cost of the expressway
is estimated to be Rs. 175 billion.
The contract for the tunnels has
been awarded to two Chinese state-
owned companies through interna-
tional bidding competition. Tunnels
will be constructed at Mahadevdanda,
Dhedre and Lendanda of Makwanpur
district.
According to Pahadi, they will
start construction from mid-December,
2021. For that, the explosives in pos-
session of the army will be used and the
process of purchasing additional explo-
sives from India has started.
See page 6
the persisting risk and the
need for us to continue
to do our best to protect
against the virus and
prevent its spread.
Issuing a press release, WHO said
that countries must enhance surveillance
and sequencing. They should assess the
risk of importation through international
travel based on updated information on
circulating variants and response capaci-
ties, and take measures accordingly.
“Comprehensive and tailored public
health and social measures to prevent
transmission must continue. The earlier
the protective measures are implement-
ed, the less restrictive they would need
to be in order to be effective. The more
COVID-19 circulates, the more opportu-
nities the virus will have to change and
mutate, and the pandemic will last lon-
ger,” the Regional Director said.
WHO’s Technical Advisory Group
on Virus Evolution met the other day and
designated B.1.1.529 as a variant of con-
cern and named it Omicron. Researchers
are working to understand how transmis-
sible or virulent this variant is, and how
it will impact diagnostics, therapeutics
and vaccines.  per cent and death rate is 1.4 per cent, as
“We must not forget that the pan-
demic is far from over. As societies open
up, we should not get complacent. Fes-
tivities and celebrations must include
all precautionary measures. Crowds and
large gatherings must be avoided. The
current situation warrants further step-
ping up efforts on all fronts,” the Region-
al Director said.
new infections were recorded in Province
1; four in Province 2; 84 in Bagmati and
two in Sudurpaschim.
No cases were detected in three
other Provinces in the past 24 hours.
According to the MoHP data, Kathmandu
and Lalitpur districts have more than 500
active cases each and six other districts
have more than 200 active cases each.
Meanwhile, Manang, Mugu, Jajarkot,
Humla and Salyan are the districts with
zero active cases as of today.
The active caseload has declined to
6,966 on Sunday. Of the active cases, 377
patients are admitted to various health fa-
cilities while remaining 6,589 are in home
isolation.
As per the latest update, 171
COVID-19 patients are admitted to the
Intensive Care Units (ICUs) while 33 are
under treatment with ventilator support
throughout the nation.
Meanwhile, 342 COVID-19 patients
recovered from the infection during that
period. Nepal has now recorded 802,389
cases of recovery.
The country also reported two deaths
related to the disease in the last 24 hours,
taking the death toll to 11,523. The recov-
ery rate of COVID-19 has reached 97.7
of today.
The MoHP informed that of the total
population, 9,647,560 people had received
their first dose of the vaccine against
COVID-19 and that 8,313,861 had re-
ceived their full dose as of Sunday. In to-
tal, 127,611 people were vaccinated in the
last 24 hours.

NC convention results Amid Omicron risks, following health protocol vital

out in 45 districts
By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, Nov. 28
The Nepali Congress Central Elec-
tion Committee said it got results of
district level general convention of 45
districts as of Sunday evening.
Committee member Tej Rawal in-
formed that the committee got results of
10 more districts on Sunday. It had got
results of 35 districts
on Saturday.
According to
the latest update re-
corded by the Com-
mittee, Jitendra Ku-
mar Shrestha, Tirtha
Lama, Krishna Dutta
Baral, Arjun Pokharel,
Raju Thapa, Shankhar Dangi, Dipen-
dra Shahi, Karna Bahadur Shahi, Pad-
am Bogati and Dambar Khadka were
elected as district chairs in Lalitpur,
Kavrepalanchwok, Kaski, Nawalparasi,
Syangja, Dang, Dolpa, Jumla, Kanchan-
pur and Ilam respectively.
Likewise, Ramesh Kumar Mahat,
Lalit Singh Bohora, Maniram Regmi,
By Sampada A. Khatiwada
Ram Krishna Khand and Bimal Dutta Kathmandu, Nov. 28
Shrestha were elected as district chair-
men in Nuwakot, Darchula, Dailekh, The variant of coronavirus clas-
Rupandehi and Palpa respectively on sified as B.1.1.529 and named Omi-
Saturday. cron has raised concerns all across
Meanwhile, our Jhapa correspon- the world as it is reported to be high-
dent reported that Deuman Thebe, loy- ly contagious.
al to NC leader Krishna Prasad Sitaula, The variant, first identified in
was elected district chairman in the dis- South Africa on November 24, has
trict. already spread to dozens of countries
Likewise, Keshab including Australia, Belgium, Bo-
Raj Pandey and Prem tswana, Germany, Hong Kong, Isra-
Sambahamphe, both el, Italy, and India.
loyal to Sitaula, were On November 26, the World
elected vice chairmen Health Organisation (WHO) labeled
while Nabin Bimali Omicron as the Variant of Concern,
and Krishna Humagai stating that the variant was more
were elected secretary. transmissible, virulent, and posed an
Likewise, Kalendra increased risk of reinfection.
Prasad Rajbamsi and Kamal Prasad Following the outbreak of a new,
Bhandari were elected as joint secretar- supposedly deadlier, variant, many
ies. countries have already imposed
Our Janakpurdham correspondent travel restrictions for people from
said that general convention under the South Africa and its neighbouring
party’s 14th general convention kicked countries.
off in four federal constituencies in Dha- The Ministry of Health and
nusa on Sunday. Population (MoHP) has also made a
See page 6
to strengthen all its means to fight
the new variant. Dr. Krishna Prasad
Poudel, spokesperson at the MoHP,
said, "We have already alerted the
concerned authorities about the new
variant and have called them to in-
crease surveillance."
"As the risk of COVID-19 per-
sists, directives issued earlier can
be implemented again to prevent the
new strain from entering Nepal. We
have also decided to set up health
desks at entry points, including at
the international airport," said Dr.
Poudel.
He added, "Although the situ-
ation is not worrisome yet, the risk
exists. Thus, we must opt for high
alertness and should continue fol-
week-long quarantine mandatory for lowing the public health measures
people traveling from or via South prescribed by the government.”
Africa.   Public health specialist Dr. Samir
As India has confirmed two cases Mani Dixit said, "Omicron is a new
of the new variant, the public health strain of SARS-CoV-2 and since the
specialists have been voicing that virus was reported only a few days
Nepal too is at a high risk of Omi- ago, we do not know much about it
cron. yet."
The Health Ministry is preparing He added, "The preliminary in-
vestigations have revealed that the
new strain is highly contagious but
we do not know anything other than
that. Concerns as to the effectiveness
of vaccines against Omicron, chanc-
es of reinfection, and the nature of
the infection are still unknown."
"Thus, we are currently in a wait-
and-see situation to ascertain the na-
ture of the new strain. However, we
should continue following the public
health standards such as washing
hands frequently, wearing masks,
and maintaining social distance,"
said Dr. Dixit, adding that the vac-
cination drive should be intensified
to the utmost possible extent and the
public should participate in it without
hesitating.
Dr. Jageshwor Gautam, former
spokesperson at the MoHP, said, as
the cases of Omicron have already
been detected in India, it can enter
Nepal any time.
"We do not have any alterna-
tive other than abiding by the public
health protocols to stay safe from the
new strain," he added.
Four win ‘Little and Teen Prince and ALL BE HAPPY, ALL BE WELL Kohalpur Edition Ending poverty condition for
Princess International’: P.7 socialism: FM Sharma: P.2

Vol. LVI, No. 341 | November 29, 2021 | Mangsir 13, 2078 | Nepal Sambat 1142 | Kachhalaga Dashami | Monday | www.risingnepaldaily.com | Pages 8 | Rs. 5.00

WHO asks South-East Asian

countries to be vigilant
against Omicron variant
By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, Nov. 28
In view of surge in COVID-19 cases
elsewhere globally and detection of new
variant of concern Omicron, the World
Health Organisation (WHO) Sunday ap-
pealed to countries in South-East Asia
Region to scale up surveillance, strength-
en public health and social measures,
and enhance vaccination coverage.
“Though COVID-19 cases have
been declining in most countries of our
Region, the surge in cases elsewhere
in the world and confirmation of a new
Variant of Concern, is a reminder of the
persisting risk and the need for us to con-
tinue to do our best to protect against the
Local fishermen sailing boat for fishing in Rapti River near Kasara of Chitwan. virus and prevent its spread. At no cost
(Photo: Sujan Gurung/TRN) should we let our guards down,” said
Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional
Director,WHO South-East Asia Region.
Daily COVID-19
cases drop to 154
By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, Nov. 28
The Ministry of Health and Population
(MoHP) Sunday confirmed 158 new cases
of COVID-19. Of them, 154 were detected
through PCR tests and four through anti-
gen tests.
The nationwide COVID-19 tally
through PCR method reached 820,878 and
that through antigen tests reached 95,472.
Of the total 8,918 tests conducted in
the last 24 hours, 6,604 were Real-Time
Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR)
while 2,314 were antigen tests, informed
the MoHP.

Construction of expressway tunnels

The surge in cases and
confirmation of a new
variant is a reminder of
According to the MoHP, the Kath-
mandu Valley recorded 61 new infections
over that period. Of these, 42 cases were
confirmed in Kathmandu, six in Bhaktapur
and 13 in Lalitpur. In the past 24 hours, 31

to begin from mid-December

By Purushottam P. Khatri
Kathmandu, Nov. 28
The much-awaited construction
works of three tunnels of the Kath-
mandu-Terai/Madhesh Expressway,
one of the national pride projects that
has a strategic importance, is about to
begin from second week of Decem-
ber, 2021.
According to the Office of the
Fast Track under the command and
operation of Nepali Army Headquar-
ters, the construction works of 6.5 km
tunnels will begin from next month,
according to Lieutenant Colonel
Bishwo Bandhu Pahadi, chief techni-
cal officer of the project implementa-
tion and operations.
The whole construction respon-
sibility of the project is completely
under the command and control of
Nepali Army. And for the task of
completing bridges and tunnel works,
it had already selected Yooshin Engi-
neering Corporation (Korea) JV as an
international consultant.
The Army has said that it will
complete the contract process of roads
and 87 sky bridges of Asian standards
with a length of 11 km within current
Fiscal Year (next July), 2022 with the
aim of completing the project within
the stipulated time (2081 BS).
According to the detailed project
report, the project should be com-
pleted in the next two FYs if enough
budget is made available by the gov-
ernment. The land compensation
disputes seen in Khokana area must
also be resolved in time to complete
the project in time, said Pahadi.
In case the project faces budget
crunch and land compensation debate
protracted, the construction of the ex-
pressway will take another two years,
it said.
So far, Rs. 25.40 billion has been
spent for the expressway, according
to the Fast Track Office.
Now the construction of the ex-
pressway will have to be completed
at a cost of Rs. 150 billion. The gov-
ernment has allocated Rs. 8.93 billion
for the expressway this year.
The Army has already sent a pro-
posal to the Prime Minister's Office,
the Ministry of Finance and the Na-
tional Planning Commission through
the Ministry of Defence to provide at
least Rs. 30 billion for the comple-
tion of all contracts for bridges and
roads.
Military officials said they have
been assured that the necessary bud-
get will be provided during the work.
The government had handed over
the management of the expressway
project to the army on May 4, 2017.
The government had approved the
DPR on August 18, 2019 after two
years of the handing over of the
project.
From the date of the endorsement
of the DPR of the project, the army
aimed to complete and hand over the
project to the government in four and
a half years. However, the army has
been working for the construction of
the project since 2017, said Pahadi.
The expressway is being con-
structed on par with the standards of
Asian Highway.
"All types of contracting pro-
cess will be completed by this fiscal
year and the remaining works of the
project will get momentum from
next fiscal year (July)," Pahadi told
reporters at Makhkhubesi site of the
expressway.
The total cost of the expressway
is estimated to be Rs. 175 billion.
The contract for the tunnels has
been awarded to two Chinese state-
owned companies through interna-
tional bidding competition. Tunnels
will be constructed at Mahadevdanda,
Dhedre and Lendanda of Makwanpur
district.
According to Pahadi, they will
start construction from mid-December,
2021. For that, the explosives in pos-
session of the army will be used and the
process of purchasing additional explo-
sives from India has started.
See page 6
the persisting risk and the
need for us to continue
to do our best to protect
against the virus and
prevent its spread.
Issuing a press release, WHO said
that countries must enhance surveillance
and sequencing. They should assess the
risk of importation through international
travel based on updated information on
circulating variants and response capaci-
ties, and take measures accordingly.
“Comprehensive and tailored public
health and social measures to prevent
transmission must continue. The earlier
the protective measures are implement-
ed, the less restrictive they would need
to be in order to be effective. The more
COVID-19 circulates, the more opportu-
nities the virus will have to change and
mutate, and the pandemic will last lon-
ger,” the Regional Director said.
WHO’s Technical Advisory Group
on Virus Evolution met the other day and
designated B.1.1.529 as a variant of con-
cern and named it Omicron. Researchers
are working to understand how transmis-
sible or virulent this variant is, and how
it will impact diagnostics, therapeutics
and vaccines.  per cent and death rate is 1.4 per cent, as
“We must not forget that the pan-
demic is far from over. As societies open
up, we should not get complacent. Fes-
tivities and celebrations must include
all precautionary measures. Crowds and
large gatherings must be avoided. The
current situation warrants further step-
ping up efforts on all fronts,” the Region-
al Director said.
new infections were recorded in Province
1; four in Province 2; 84 in Bagmati and
two in Sudurpaschim.
No cases were detected in three
other Provinces in the past 24 hours.
According to the MoHP data, Kathmandu
and Lalitpur districts have more than 500
active cases each and six other districts
have more than 200 active cases each.
Meanwhile, Manang, Mugu, Jajarkot,
Humla and Salyan are the districts with
zero active cases as of today.
The active caseload has declined to
6,966 on Sunday. Of the active cases, 377
patients are admitted to various health fa-
cilities while remaining 6,589 are in home
isolation.
As per the latest update, 171
COVID-19 patients are admitted to the
Intensive Care Units (ICUs) while 33 are
under treatment with ventilator support
throughout the nation.
Meanwhile, 342 COVID-19 patients
recovered from the infection during that
period. Nepal has now recorded 802,389
cases of recovery.
The country also reported two deaths
related to the disease in the last 24 hours,
taking the death toll to 11,523. The recov-
ery rate of COVID-19 has reached 97.7
of today.
The MoHP informed that of the total
population, 9,647,560 people had received
their first dose of the vaccine against
COVID-19 and that 8,313,861 had re-
ceived their full dose as of Sunday. In to-
tal, 127,611 people were vaccinated in the
last 24 hours.

NC convention results Amid Omicron risks, following health protocol vital

out in 45 districts
By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, Nov. 28
The Nepali Congress Central Elec-
tion Committee said it got results of
district level general convention of 45
districts as of Sunday evening.
Committee member Tej Rawal in-
formed that the committee got results of
10 more districts on Sunday. It had got
results of 35 districts
on Saturday.
According to
the latest update re-
corded by the Com-
mittee, Jitendra Ku-
mar Shrestha, Tirtha
Lama, Krishna Dutta
Baral, Arjun Pokharel,
Raju Thapa, Shankhar Dangi, Dipen-
dra Shahi, Karna Bahadur Shahi, Pad-
am Bogati and Dambar Khadka were
elected as district chairs in Lalitpur,
Kavrepalanchwok, Kaski, Nawalparasi,
Syangja, Dang, Dolpa, Jumla, Kanchan-
pur and Ilam respectively.
Likewise, Ramesh Kumar Mahat,
Lalit Singh Bohora, Maniram Regmi,
By Sampada A. Khatiwada
Ram Krishna Khand and Bimal Dutta Kathmandu, Nov. 28
Shrestha were elected as district chair-
men in Nuwakot, Darchula, Dailekh, The variant of coronavirus clas-
Rupandehi and Palpa respectively on sified as B.1.1.529 and named Omi-
Saturday. cron has raised concerns all across
Meanwhile, our Jhapa correspon- the world as it is reported to be high-
dent reported that Deuman Thebe, loy- ly contagious.
al to NC leader Krishna Prasad Sitaula, The variant, first identified in
was elected district chairman in the dis- South Africa on November 24, has
trict. already spread to dozens of countries
Likewise, Keshab including Australia, Belgium, Bo-
Raj Pandey and Prem tswana, Germany, Hong Kong, Isra-
Sambahamphe, both el, Italy, and India.
loyal to Sitaula, were On November 26, the World
elected vice chairmen Health Organisation (WHO) labeled
while Nabin Bimali Omicron as the Variant of Concern,
and Krishna Humagai stating that the variant was more
were elected secretary. transmissible, virulent, and posed an
Likewise, Kalendra increased risk of reinfection.
Prasad Rajbamsi and Kamal Prasad Following the outbreak of a new,
Bhandari were elected as joint secretar- supposedly deadlier, variant, many
ies. countries have already imposed
Our Janakpurdham correspondent travel restrictions for people from
said that general convention under the South Africa and its neighbouring
party’s 14th general convention kicked countries.
off in four federal constituencies in Dha- The Ministry of Health and
nusa on Sunday. Population (MoHP) has also made a
See page 6
to strengthen all its means to fight
the new variant. Dr. Krishna Prasad
Poudel, spokesperson at the MoHP,
said, "We have already alerted the
concerned authorities about the new
variant and have called them to in-
crease surveillance."
"As the risk of COVID-19 per-
sists, directives issued earlier can
be implemented again to prevent the
new strain from entering Nepal. We
have also decided to set up health
desks at entry points, including at
the international airport," said Dr.
Poudel.
He added, "Although the situ-
ation is not worrisome yet, the risk
exists. Thus, we must opt for high
alertness and should continue fol-
week-long quarantine mandatory for lowing the public health measures
people traveling from or via South prescribed by the government.”
Africa.   Public health specialist Dr. Samir
As India has confirmed two cases Mani Dixit said, "Omicron is a new
of the new variant, the public health strain of SARS-CoV-2 and since the
specialists have been voicing that virus was reported only a few days
Nepal too is at a high risk of Omi- ago, we do not know much about it
cron. yet."
The Health Ministry is preparing He added, "The preliminary in-
vestigations have revealed that the
new strain is highly contagious but
we do not know anything other than
that. Concerns as to the effectiveness
of vaccines against Omicron, chanc-
es of reinfection, and the nature of
the infection are still unknown."
"Thus, we are currently in a wait-
and-see situation to ascertain the na-
ture of the new strain. However, we
should continue following the public
health standards such as washing
hands frequently, wearing masks,
and maintaining social distance,"
said Dr. Dixit, adding that the vac-
cination drive should be intensified
to the utmost possible extent and the
public should participate in it without
hesitating.
Dr. Jageshwor Gautam, former
spokesperson at the MoHP, said, as
the cases of Omicron have already
been detected in India, it can enter
Nepal any time.
"We do not have any alterna-
tive other than abiding by the public
health protocols to stay safe from the
new strain," he added.