POST REPORTKATHMANDU, SEPT 12

Nepal Army, which has been deployed to aid the civil authorities in riot-hit areas at the request of local adminis-tration, is set to return to bar-racks. The Army was called in to assist district authorities, following a decision of the Central Security Committee meeting led by Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Bam Dev Gautam on August 24.

The Army is supporting the civilian authority in a few dis-tricts as per the provision of

Clause 6 of the Local Administration Act-1971 which authorises the local authority to seek its help when any region is declared a riot-affected zone. But its deployment under the Chief District Officer (CDO) has invited sharp criticism from various quarters.

President Ram Baran Yadav, who is the supreme commander of Nepal Army, had expressed his displeasure at the deployment of Army to contain violence. According to a highly-placed Army source, Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) Rajendra Chettri had

started consultations with concerned stakeholders while he was still an acting chief. He started the process to recall the troops soon after assum-ing the office of CoAS on Thursday.

In order to avoid being seen as defying the government orders, the Army brass has however taken a middle path by asking commanders in the field to discuss a plan with Chief District Officers to recall the soldiers.

“Our commanders from the respective districts have con-veyed the message to CDO through District Security

Committee,” said a source at the Army headquarters. “However, no decision has yet been taken to this effect.”

The military leadership feels that a prolonged deploy-ment of Army in the field to aid civilian authorities is pos-ing a public relations problem for the institution—drawing it into controversies.

Recalling the Army to barracks from the districts has been a key precondition of the agitating parties for talks. The National Human Rights Commission had also urged a recall of the Army on Friday.

Army set to return to barracks

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KATHMANDU: Three days after walking out of the con-stitution drafting process, the Rastriya Prajatantra Party-Nepal (RPP-N) on Saturday decided to rejoin the process saying the letter from three parties had creat-

ed a positive environment.The party’s Central

Working Committee meet-ing rolled back its previous decision after three major parties requested to put its concerns in the Constituent Assembly (CA). Blaming the

major parties of monopolis-ing the constitution making, the RPP-N had walked out of the process on Wednesday. Following the decision, the three parties held a meeting with the RPP-N on Friday. (PR)

RPP-N to rejoin statute drafting process

C M Y K

caPital edition l Printed SimultaneouSly in kathmandu, Biratnagar, BharatPur and nePalgunJ

Vol XXIII No 207 | 12+4 Pages Sunday, September 13, 2015 (27-05-2072)

anushka shoots down Sultan rumours

Oh, the times!By ABiN

I can only hear ‘talks talks’.... My ear is constantly ringing from

loud blasts!

Nepal crisis should be resolved through dialogue

AkhilESh UPAdhyAyBEiJiNG, SEPT 12

China’s senior government officials and a leading government think tank have said that they are anxious to see Nepal resolve its constitutional stalemate, move on a firm path to polit-ical stability and long-term prosperity.

This reaction comes on the heels of more than 40 deaths in the Tarai unrest in recent weeks. As of the time of this writing late Saturday, the major parties continued to stick to the Constituent Assembly process, which was scheduled to resume on Sunday. A major demand from the Tharu and Madhesi parties is to put the CA process on hold to find a political solution to the cur-rent standoff.

In a press briefing on Friday, Vice-Minister Chen Fengxiang said China is anx-ious to see a stable and pros-perous Nepal and that Nepal’s political parties should work together to get the constitution out.

In an interview, Prof Hu Shiseng has warned that the situation in Tarai could get

out of control if the three leading parties—Nepali Congress, CPN-UML and UCPN (Maoist)-fail to politi-cally resolve the current “fragility” in the plains.

“Should Nepal get drawn into a long-term conflict,” Prof Hu told the Post on Saturday, “the three major parties will have to take responsibility for the disas-

trous situation. If the cur-rent fragility is not con-trolled, it can get larger and larger and ultimately out of control. But in the past the three major parties have shown the capacity to come together to resolve the cri-sis.” He hoped that they would once again be able to do so.

>> CoNTiNUeD oN PAge 4

chinese leaders, experts suggest

[ [If the current fragility is not controlled, it can get

larger and larger and ultimately out of control

P r o f h u s h I s e n g

Parties face pressure to delay CA processPOST REPORT KATHMANDU, SEPT 12

President Ram Baran Yadav has advised Prime Minister Sushil Koirala that continu-ing dialogue with agitating parties to resolve the current political standoff will be bene-ficial for the country.

In a telephone conversation with the PM on Saturday, President Yadav advised that additional time should be taken to continue dialogue.

Yadav conveyed a similar message to UML senior leader Madhav Kumar Nepal and Nepali Congress leader Ram Sharan Mahat during sepa-rate meetings at Shital Niwas and UPCN (Maoist) leader Narayan Kaji Shrestha over the phone. “The promulgation of constitution keeping larger groups such as Madhesi, Tharu and Janajatis out of the process, will not send a good message. They have returned to the talks and this should be continued,” said a President’s aide, quoting the head of state as telling PM.

Pressure is building on the three parties to push back the

date for the resumption of the constitution drafting pro-cess and some preconditions set by the agitating parties should the initial talks with Madhesi and Tharu parties progress well.

Leaders within the UCPN (Maoist), Nepali Congress and CPN-UML also believe that more time would be needed to conclude talks with the agitat-ing parties.

“We want a meaningful dia-logue with Madhes-based par-ties. We are of the view that the CA process should be stopped for a few more days,” said Maoist Vice-chairman

Narayan Kaji Shrestha. On Friday, the parties

decided to stop the process till 11pm on Sunday for negotia-tions with the agitating Madhesi and Tharu groups. Informal talks, which the major parties have had with the agitating parties, have made little headway. The CA is set to begin the voting pro-cess unless the parties agree to postpone it.

During informal discussion with top leaders of the major parties, Madhesi Janadhikar Forum-Loktantrik Chair-person Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar insisted that they

halt the CA process for a few more days. Three party lead-ers are scheduled to deliver speeches at the CA on Sunday morning, after which

Chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) Krishna Prasad Sitaula tables the proposal to initiate a clause-wise voting.

Ban welCoMes Constitution proCess pauseKATHMANDU: UN Secretary General Ban ki-Moon wel-comed the temporary pause in the constitution drafting pro-cess, calling for dialogue between the government and agitating parties. “The Secretary-General welcomes the decision of the political parties to temporarily pause the constitution voting pro-cess. He urges all stakeholders to use this opportunity to engage in meaningful dia-logue,” Ban’s spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told report-ers in New York. Dujarric said that Ban was closely following the situation in Nepal. “He stresses the importance of dialogue and non-violence as well as respect for peaceful protest and freedom of assem-bly,” he added. (PR)

‘Statement of intent on Madhesi demands today’BhAdRA ShARmAKATHMANDU, SEPT 12

As crisis worsens in Tarai, three major parties are proac-tively looking to address pre-conditions of agitating par-ties and other groups through a statement of intent to be delivered by their top leaders in the Constituent Assembly (CA) on Sunday.

The statement, according to informed leaders, could focus on issues of proportion-al representation of Madhesi and other marginalised com-munities and constituency in state mechanisms.

“In their speeches, the party chiefs will express com-mitment for addressing the concerns raised by Madhesi and other communities in accordance with the past agreements and Interim Constitution,” said Nepali Congress leader Purna Bahadur Khadka.

NC President and Prime Minister Sushil Koirala, CPN-

UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli and UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal are scheduled to address the CA on Sunday afternoon before a scheduled clause-wise voting on draft constitution starts. If infor-mal talks progress well, repre-sentatives from the disgrun-tled Madhesi parties and the Rastriya Prajatantra Party-Nepal could address the CA alongside the three party lead-ers as a sign of rapproach-ment. The statement of intent could also include assurances to delineate electoral constitu-ency proportionally based on population.

Contrary to demands of the Madhes-based parties, the draft constitution has a provi-sion that election constituen-cies be fixed based on geogra-phy and population.

UML leader Gokarna Bista said that the picture will be clearer once formal talks begin on Sunday morning, before the resumption of the

CA meeting. Three major par-ties could put together a more ‘accommodating statement’ based on progress of the talks, according to leaders.

Though informal discus-sions are underway at various levels, no concrete progress has been reported by the time we went to the press. Having reached a conclusion that it is not possible to meet all the demands of the Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha (SLMM), the major parties are now trying to bring the Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar-led Madhesi Janadhikar Forum-Loktantrik on board by addressing his concerns.

On the MJF-L demands, the NC and CPN-UML said that they are ready to mention cat-egorically that disputes over Kailali district will be resolved after the federal com-mission presents its report. Gachhadar has taken this offer positively and has sought time to consult with his party leaders, one leader said.

POST REPORTKATHMANDU, SEPT 12

The Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha (SLMM) has asked the three major parties to post-pone constitution drafting process for a few more days to create a conducive “environment” for talks. During informal discussion with major parties on Saturday, SLMM leaders said more time was needed for internal preparations on both sides, before clearing “technical” hurdles.

Following major parties’ decision to post-pone statute drafting pro-cess till Sunday, senior Madhesi leaders have arrived in Kathmandu on

Saturday and engaged in informal talks with leaders of three major parties. According to SLMM lead-ers, they will enter into talks once their precondi-tions are addressed.

“We want the govern-ment to first recall the Army to the barracks, honour the dead and pro-vide treatment to those injured during the protest. This should create a right atmosphere for dia-logue,” said Laxman Lal Karna, co-chairman of Sadbhawana Party. Other SLMM leaders held telephone conservations with leaders of major par-ties in which they urged to stop the CA process for few more days.

>> CoNTiNUeD oN PAge 4

SLMM seeks longer halt for talks

n President Yadav n PM Koirala

Director, Institute of South & Southeast Asian and Oceania Studies at China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations

thekathmandu postnews 02Sunday, September 13, 2015

Man arrested for ‘duping’ peopleKATHMANDU: Police on Saturday arrested Vice-chairman of Open University National Committee on charge of duping people by ‘assur-ing them of dismissing a police case’. The Metropolitan Police Circle, Maharagunj, arrested Santosh Neupane after he took Rs 40,000 claiming to influ-ence a case under inves-tigation. Deputy Superintendent of Police Bishwo Pokhrel, chief of the circle said the court has remanded Neupane to custody and investiga-tion is underway on charge of public offence.

Police have also arrested Anita Chaudhary, 37, of Kathmandu, Anita Thapa, 40, of Sunsari and Manju Tuladhar, 27, of Kaski for giving the amount to Neupane. “The women were arrest-ed earlier after com-plaints of illegal activi-ties by locals,” said DSP Pokhrel. “They were released following a warning. But we later came to know that Subedi and women were trying to influence a police investigation.” (PR)

Clean Bagmati drive continues KATHMANDU: As much as 100 tonnes of garbage was collected from the bank of Bagmati River near Tribhuvan University entrance gate under the Bagmati River Clean-up Campaign on Saturday. With this, the Bagmati sanitation cam-paign reached its 122nd week. The volunteers were found collecting the garbage despite the heavy downpour. A large number of the volun-teers along with Chief secretary Som Lal Subedi, former chief sec-retary Leela Mani Paudyal, high-ranking officials from various government offices, secu-rity bodies and other social organisations were found collecting the garbage from the river. During the cleaning, Subedi urged more citi-zens to participate in the campaign. (RSS)

news digest

C M Y K

move to the beat

n Women dance during a Teej Festival organised by Didi Bahini Group at Ekantakuna in Lalitpur on Saturday. Teej, which falls on Wednesday, is celebrated by females for marital happiness, well-being of children and purification of their own body and soul. Post Photo: nimesh jang rai

Nepali travellers safe in SArabiahom karkiQATAR, SEPT 12

Following a crane collapse that resulted in 107 deaths in Mecca on Friday, the Nepali Embassy in Saudi Arabia informed that Nepalis in the holy city are in safe condition.

According to acting Nepali Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ananda Prasad Sharma, there were no deaths of Nepalis in the holy city of Mecca where thousands of pilgrims from all across the world have gath-ered to attend the annual Muslim Hajj.

Chairman of Nepali Hajj Committee Taj Mohammad Miya said Nepali Hajj travel-lers are in safe hands in ‘luxu-rious’ hotels. “We are about 20 minutes far from the incident site,” Miya told the Post, add-ing that they do not have any difficulties.

Hajj travellers began their journey to Mecca from September 8, with 620 Nepalis reaching the city until Saturday, the embassy

informed. Sharma added that some are still on their way.

The Ministry of Hajj in Saudi Arabia had recently increased the quotas of Nepalis visiting Mecca. Sharma said a meeting of the ministry agreed on an addi-tional 1,000 quotas for Nepal on Thursday. With this, 2, 000 Hajj travellers from Nepal can

attend the annual Muslim Hajj each year.

After the Ramjan, Muslims from around the world go to attend the annual Hajj pil-grimage, which begins in about 10 days’ time. Followers of Islam believe that they should perform a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their life time.

n The holy city of Mecca.

Heavy rains forecastPoST rEPorTKATHMANDU, SEPT 12

A sudden active monsoon trough that plays a vital role in the contribution of rainfall is expected to bring heavy rains in some places of the West for the next couple of days, according to weather forecast.

A special bulletin released by Meteorological Forecasting Division (MFD) warned of potential risks of flash flood-ing and landslides in one or two places in the country due to heavy downpours on Saturday night and that is expected to continue for a cou-ple of days.

“The sufficient moisture inflow from Bay of Bengal is causing widespread but intermittent rainfall activity throughout the country. This condition is likely to persist for next one to two days and then the weather will gradually improve in the western region of the country,” the bulletin reads.

On Saturday, Biratnagar received the highest rainfall measuring 74.6 millimetres, followed by Pokhara, Okhaldhunga, Dhankuta, Kathmandu and Lumle measuring at 52, 43.8, 34.7, 34.5 and 32 millimetres respectively.

Govt to revive ‘wildlife gifting’PraGaTi ShahiKATHMANDU, SEPT 12

The government is doing its homework to revive the tradi-tion of ‘gifting’ its wildlife to foreign countries as a way of improving diplomatic ties and help in wildlife conservation in the long run.

The amendment bill on National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act (NWCA) 1973 that is put for discussion by the Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation (MoFSC) has included a provision that would allow countries to receive wild animals from Nepal if the agreement bene-fits the conservation and man-agement of wildlife in the country.

“If any country forwards its request for a wildlife from Nepal and abides by the set guidelines, and the donor country considers the request appropriate from the conser-vation and management per-spective, then the state could make the wildlife available as per the request,” the clause 15( E) of the amended bill mentions.

A practice of ‘gifting’ wild-life including endangered rhi-noceros was already in place

during the royal regime and was stopped after Nepal became a federal democratic republic in 2007. The then King Mahendra Trust for Nature Conservation, now renamed as National Trust for Nature Conservation, patron-ised by monarchs had been involved in gifting rhinos to

zoos in United States, United Kingdom, Singapore and Germany. Nepal has also received exotic animals including Hippopotamus for its zoo.

“Earlier, the decision to gift animals was done by the royal palace and termed it as a bilat-eral agreement between two

countries to improve diplo-matic relations and also source of huge funding,” said Siddhartha Bajracharya, pro-gramme director at NTNC . There was no legal basis to allow the export of animals and concerns were raised by conservationists.

The practice of gifting ani-

mals is not new to the world. China’s practice of ‘panda diplomacy’ goes back decades while India has received simi-lar animals for its zoo as gifts until the ban in 2005 restrict-ing the country from gifting animals to any country.

According to Maheshwar Dhakal, official at the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC), the government plans to work on sending wild-life to other countries for research study and education exhibitions that could benefit both the countries as well as the conservation sector.

“It is just the beginning. There is a lot to work on and ensure that the decision would not harm the ecological balance and help in long-term conservation plans for the overall wildlife sector,” he said. In the past, requests have come from countries namely Sri Lanka and China for one-horned rhinos.

Conservation authorities opine that animals that are problematic to the com-munity increasing human-wildlife conflict and those with satisfactory popu-lation could be considered for the proposal.

Stench from leaking drainage irks publicaNUP oJhaKATHMANDU, SEP 12

Sumitra Shah, 46, who has been running a juice shop in front of Bir Hospital com-plains of a sharp drop in the number of customers in the past month due to a strong stench of a leaking drainage.

As the area is engulfed in a foul smell emitted by drained water, pedestrians and patients walking from New Road gate to Bir Hospital building, and traffic police working in the area face a dif-ficult time.

Doctors and staff at the

Trauma Center and Bir Hospital also complain of the bad smell.

“It is really shameful that concerned authorities have not solved this problem even after a month. It is hard for us to even walk on the road,” said one of the doctors work-ing at the hospital.

Even though Kathmandu Metropolitan officials are well informed about the issue, Shah said no one has come to solve the problem. “Wearing a mask also does not help,” she said.

A traffic police in the area complained of his uniform

being occasionally soaked with the drained water. “The drainage has been leaking for over a month and it is even difficult to just stand and coordinate the traffic here,” he said under the condition of anonymity.

Drainage has been particu-larly leaking from the Military Hospital, which lies right in front of Mahankal Temple and is undergoing re-con-struction post earthquake, locals said.

“If it is leaking from our compound, we will soon coor-dinate with concerned author-ities to solve the problem,”

assured spokesperson of Nepal Army Jagdish Chandra Pokhrel.

However, Uttar Kumar Regmi, administrative officer at KMC said he is not aware of the problem. He added that it is the duty of Kathmandu Upatyaka Khanepani Limited (KUKL) to look after the issue. “It is KUKL’s duty to maintain the drainage because they have taken extra money from customers for it’s mainte-nance,” said Regime.

But KUKL claims it falls under KMC’s jurisdiction to maintain the drainage system inside the Valley.

EU supports in reconstructionPoST rEPorT KATHMANDU, SEPT 12

Developmental partners rep-resenting the consortium of ACT Alliance in Nepal on Saturday launched Nepal Earthquake Recovery Project (NERP) worth €1.5 million to build back better and safer shelters in quake-affected dis-tricts.

Dan Church Aid, Christian Aid, Lutheran World Federation and ICCO Cooperation supported by the European Union (EU) launched the project that intends to directly reach 16,940 people to build shelters in 14 highly affected VDCs of Dhading, Makawanpur, Rasuwa and Sindulpalchok districts. The project will run from August 2015 to May 2016.

Of the total €1.5 million budget, EU is funding €900,000 and the remaining €600,000 is co-financed by the Act Alliance consortium mem-bers to facilitate recovery from the April 25 earthquake that killed over 8,890 people, said the statement shared by

Dan Church Aid.The project will focus on

gaps in immediate humanitar-ian response including addressing transitional shel-ter needs by providing shelter materials and technical assis-tance through locally trained shelter technicians, enabling affected households to build back better and safer shelters.

The statement further men-tioned that the project will include targeted cash transfer support, focus on sanitation needs covering household toi-lets, and access to water and hygiene services at the com-munity level.

n The practice of ‘gifting’ wildlife including rhinoceros was rampant during royal regime. Photo courtesy: ntnc

US provides Rs34m as rebuilding aidPoST rEPorTLALITPUR, SEPT 12

The United States has provid-ed $320,000 (Rs34 million) aid for the reconstruction of Patan and Hanumandhoka Durbar Squares which were badly damaged by the April 25 earthquake.

American ambassador to Nepal Peter W Bodde handed over the amount to Kathmandu Valley Preservation Trust on Friday and hoped that the amount will help in structural analy-sis, conservation and renova-tion of damaged monuments.

The money was received from US Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation, which has provided similar support to more than 120 countries in the world. Since 2003, AFCP has donated more than $2.2 million to Nepal and completed 15 projects. Programme direc-

tor for AFCP Martin Pezlar praised Nepal for according high priority for the reconstruction of cultural heritage sites and pledged continuous support.

Director of KVPT Rohit Ranjitkar said that the amount will be used for the reconstruction of monuments such as Bahadur Shah’s pal-ace and Taleju Mandir in Patan Durbar Square and tem-ples around Kal Bhairav stat-ue in Hanumandhoka.

“We have targeted to com-plete reconstruction in two years,” he said.

marijuana raid

n Police and locals destroy cannabis, also known as marijuana plant, at Karyabinayak municipality in Lalitpur on Saturday. According to police, they acted upon the complain of locals that cannabis was growing rampantly in wards number 15 and 16. Post Photo: LaXmi PrasaD DaKhusi

American ambassador to Nepal hopes that the amount will help in conservation and

renovation of damaged monuments

n The leaking drainage at the Bir Hospital in Kathmandu. FiLe Photo

thekathmandu post news03 Sunday, September 13, 2015

C M Y K

NHRC calls for talks to end violence

POST REPORTKATHMANDU, SEPT 12

The National Human Rights Commission has urged the agitators, politi-cal parties and all parties concerned to call off all the protest programmes and sit for talks.

In a statement, the national rights body has called on the parties con-cerned to find a political solution to the ongoing pro-tests in Tarai districts. It has also urged the govern-ment to reconsider deploy-ment of security forces in the field and initiate dia-

logue with the agitators to find an amicable solution.

The commission, in a statement signed by the Commission Chair Anup Raj Sharma, has also asked the government to investi-gate into the killings of 11 individuals in Mahottari Dhanusha and Saptari districts. It has con-demned the killing of Armed Police Force’s Assistant Sub Inspector Thaman Bahadur BK by the protesters on Friday. BK, who was being taken to hos-pital, was dragged out of the ambulance and beaten to death.

Demarcation through Commission: ThapaPOST REPORTKATHMANDU, SEPT 12

Nepali Congress lawmaker Gagan Thapa on Saturday proposed forming a Federal Commission to assign them with the demarcation of states, while proceeding with the Constituent Assembly pro-cess to decide on other disput-ed issues.

Issuing a statement, Thapa stated that the Parliament should form a Commission in its upcoming meeting and pro-vide it with three months to

work on finalising demarca-tion. Once the commission submits its report, the Parliament will give its final nod, he said. Thapa also men-tioned that issues including Dalit representation, equal access to citizenship and press freedom should be addressed through amendments.

The lawmaker asked lead-ers of agitating groups to take responsibility of the violence during the ongoing protests and book the culprits by forming an independent probe committee.

POST REPORTKATHMANDU, SEPT 12

Stating that the recent calls for talks were half-hearted efforts, civil society members and Madhesi leaders have urged the government to initi-ate a genuine dialogue with agitators to put an end to the ongoing killing spree in Tarai.

Hundreds of people from all quarters took part in a rally taken out to draw the attention of the government towards rights violations and killings in the southern plains.

“Killings should stop imme-diately,” said Ganesh Sah, for-mer Science and Technology minister. “Instead of engag-ing them in a dialogue, the government has resorted to violent measure to control the protesters, which is objection-able,” he said.

Forty people, including nine security personnel, have been killed in various clashes in Tarai, where protests are ongoing for a month. The gov-ernment has clamped curfew in half a dozen districts and declared some as riot-stricken areas.

The National Human Rights Commission and THRD Alliance, only organi-sations who visited the field, have reported police excesses. However, protesters have also lynched security personnel during protests.

“Killing can never be justi-fied but the situation has esca-lated to become a war-like time,” said Surendra Chaudhari, a Nepali Congress lawmaker. “However, it was not a law and order problem. Leaders also know it is a polit-

ical problem.”Former ambassador Vijay

Kant Karna said the killing in Tarai is a deliberate attempt of the government. “The state is pushing Madhesi people to the edge,” he said. “The people in power will be responsible if the state disintegrates.”

Some participants also demanded resignation of Home minister for mobilising security personnel to confront the public, who are demand-ing their rights.

“The government should

have found a political solution instead of administrative one,” said civil society leader Sundar Mani Dixit. “All they want is to be heard and their identity acknowledged.”

Dixit argued the constitu-tion writing process should be halted for a while, which is one of the demands of the agitators, to start a genuine dialogue. “The state should be more responsible at such times and three parties should not make haste to promulgate the constitution, which is opposed by all quar-ters,” he added.

Govt apathy delays technical classesBINOD GHIMIREKATHMANDU, SEPT 12

The Ministry of Education’s tardy approach towards endorsing curriculum has further delayed the start of technical education classes at higher secondary level, put-ting hundreds of students in dilemma.

It has already been more than a month since the classes for the students under general category commenced, the stu-dents who are waiting to join the classes in grade 11 will still have to wait at least for few weeks to start their study.

A total of 3,256 students from 99 public schools gradu-ated the School Leaving Certificate examination under technical category. Publishing its academic cal-endar a month ago, the Higher Secondary Education Board (HSEB) had announced that the curriculum would be approved within the September 3 deadline to allow the classes to begin on September 14.

It has been more than a week since the deadline, but the MoE has yet to begin the curriculum approval process. The HSEB had on August 26 forwarded the curriculum of five subjects--computer engi-neering, civil engineering,

electrical engineering, animal science and plant science--for grade 11 to the ministry. According to MoE spokesper-son Hari Lamsal, as the offi-cials were busy in prepara-tions for the Education Day no process has begun in approv-ing the curriculum. “I hope the curriculum will be endorsed very soon,” he said.

The MoE can either endorse the curriculum directly or form an expert committee to evaluate it before the endorse-ment. If an expert team is formed it will take one more month to approve the curricu-lum. Amid a tussle between the HSEB and Council for the Technical Education and Vocational Training over get-ting authority, the MoE had decided on July 7 to authorise the former to run the classes. The SLC result under the cate-gory was published on June 8.

The HSEB has mentioned on its calendar that the proce-dure for granting affiliation would be completed by September 9, but it has yet to carry out feasibility study of around half a dozen schools due to the ongoing protests in the various parts of the coun-try. As many as 91 higher sec-ondary schools from across the country had applied for the affiliation to run the tech-nical education.

ongoing tarai protests

n Activists participate in a protest to stop government ‘repression’ in Tarai, at New Baneshwor in the Capital on Saturday. Post Photo

Civil society calls for genuine dialogue

for father’s day

n People purchase kush (holy grass) at Kalimati in the Capital on Saturday. Sales of kush have gone up during the festive season, with today being Father’s Day. Post Photo: shaligram tiwari

thekathmandu postnews 04Sunday, September 13, 2015

Man drowns in pondMORANG: A 28-year-old man drowned in a pond at Urlabari-7 in the dis-trict on Saturday. Kumar Magarati of Urlabari-4 drowned in the pond at Betauna wetland area, police said. The victim drowned while he was swimming. (PR)

Three die in road accidentBHAIRAHAWA: Three peo-ple died in a road acci-dent at Dandapul along Siddhartha Highway on Saturday. The deceased have been identified Gir Bahadur Guja, 30, of Palpa, Madhurana, 32 and six-year-old girl. They were family mem-bers and were travelling on a motorcycle (Lu 10 Pa 3223) when they were hit by a truck with Indian number plate (UP 53 T 8309). Police said the truck driver is still on the run though the vehi-cle was seized at Bhairahawa border checkpost. (PR)

Two Nepalis killed in IndiaRAUTAHAT: Two Nepalis died on road accident along Jamai road section in Bihar, India, on Saturday. Saroj Sah, 21, of Bhasedhawa-2 and Prem Sah, 40, of Katahariya-7 died as they fell off the roof of a bus, police said. Both of them were sleeping on the roof of the bus when the accident occurred. Police said they fell off the roof of the bus when driver pressed the brakes. They were on their way to Nepal. (PR)

One dies of bullet injuries TANAHUN: Roshan Dura of Byas-1 died of bullet injuries in the district on Saturday. Dura and three others had sus-tained bullet injuries during a protest against alleged murder of local Purna Bahadur Alemagar. Alemagar was found hanging from a tree on Monday but his relatives and locals have been demanding a probe saying that he was mur-dered. Meanwhile, pro-tests have escalated in Damauli area as Dura died during treatment at Pokhara-based Manipal Teaching Hospital. (PR)

Man held for ‘offering bribe’NEPALGUNJ: Police detained one Ali Khan of Nepalgunj-8 for his alleged attempt to bribe security personnel. Six people were detained from Buspark area on Friday on human traf-ficking charge. Khan allegedly offered Rs 20,000 to release the detainees. Police said an investigation into the matter is under way. (PR)

news digest

Max Min Rainfall teMp (0C) teMp (0C) (MM) Max Min Rainfall teMp (0C) teMp (0C) (MM)

Forecast: Generally cloudy in the east-ern region and partly cloudy. Temporary

rain or thundershowers likely.

Dadeldhura 25.5 17.5 5.8Dipayal 31.6 23.8 0.0Dhangadi 32.0 24.0 0.0Birendranagar 32.1 22.8 2.2Nepalgunj 33.6 25.5 0.0Jumla 26.1 14.4 18.6Dang 31.5 25.5 16.0Pokhara 29.2 21.5 52.4Bhairahawa 34.6 26.0 0.0Simara 32.5 24.2 16.2Kathmandu 26.0 19.7 34.5Okhaldhunga 25.5 16.6 43.8Taplejung 25.0 17.4 8.3Dhankuta 28.4 20.0 34.7Biratnagar 34.5 24.5 74.6Jomsom 23.5 13.0 0.0Dharan 33.3 25.1 4.6

source: Meteorological forecasting Division, Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, Kathmandu

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Captors held, 3 hostages freedLILA BARALBIRTAMOD, SEPT 12

Police arrested five people, including two Indian nation-als, on abduction charges in Birtamod, Jhapa, on Friday night. Security personnel also released three abductees from the clutches of the abductors.

Preliminary police investi-gation shows that the group was involved in abduction and extortion in an organised way. They rented a house at Shaniarjun Municipality-5 to hold the victims hostage. According to Deputy Superintendent of Police Bhim Bahadur Dahal, Sunil Kumar Singh and Ranjit Singh of India, Om Kumar Kahar of Rupandehi, Santosh Kumar Chaudhary and Sushil

Kumar Chaudhary of Saptari were arrested on abduction charge. A pistol and its 19 rounds of bullets and a jeep were also seized from the abductors.

Police claimed Sunil Kumar, the kingpin of the abduction racket, was the member of Pappudev Yadav-led gang involved in the abduction of Biratnagar-based

businessman Tulsiram Agrawal.

During rescue operation, security personnel freed Indian nationals--Kamalesh Bhati and Binod Kumar Sakhala of Rajasthan and Jigir Ashokbhai Pamar of Gujrat. The abductors had demanded IRs 1 million from the family of each victim for their release. The family of one of the victims was learnt to have paid the ransom.

Police searched the abduct-ees as per the request of Indian authorities.

Police probe shows that the abductors rented a house for the past one month for the crime. Earlier, the same group had rented a house at Panchakanya area and abducted 16 Indian nationals.

Failure to provide security cost Thaman’s life: Family

RAJENDRA NATH & THAKUR SINGH THARUNEPALGUNJ, SEPT 12

Last week, Armed Police Force Assistant Sub-inspector Thaman BK and his wife Shova had made a long talk over the phone. Thaman had advised her to invite all of his sisters for upcoming Teej festival. Shova had also asked him to stay safe as the condition in areas where he was deployed was not secure.

Shova said that she never thought it would be their last conversation.

Thaman, who was on his way to hospital after he was injured in a clash with pro-testers, was captured and murdered by alleged sup-porters of Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha in Mahottari on Friday.

Since then, Shova’s eyes are overflowing with tears.

She said she had gone for shopping on Friday and upon returning home, one of her relative informed her about the incident.

Thaman’s 65-year-old mother Maimi BK is also in similar condition. “My ene-mies killed my son,” she said

at her house in Nepalgunj-25. “Who will take responsibili-ty of my small grandson and daughter-in-law?” she ques-tioned. Thaman’s sister-in-law, Kamala, said Shova is not taking anything except glucose and water since Friday.

Thaman had joined the APF as a constable in August, 1999. According to

his collogues, he was very disciplined and hardwork-ing.

Meanwhile, the family blamed the concerned offi-cials for sending injured Thaman to the hospital with-out proper security. Thaman’s father-in-law Anamol Gahatraj said the incident could be avoided if local administration had

arranged proper security.Thaman was being taken

to Janakpur for treatment when a mob stopped the ambulance he was in at Parikauli, dragged him to a nearby paddy field and attacked him with batons and sharp-edged weapons. Police recovered some batons and bottles of beer from the scene. The assail-ants also set the ambulance on fire.

Timber smuggling on rise in ParsaBHUSAN YADAVBIRGUNJ, SEPT 12

Timber smuggling has gone unchecked as several police stations in Parsa villages near Nepal-India border are relo-cated due to recent violent Tarai protests.

Smugglers have been cut-ting down trees from national forests and exporting them to India at night.

According to the District Police Office, police stations in southern villages have merged with Area Police Offices and that smugglers are supplying timber illegally to India on bicycle.

Pramod Yadav of Janakitola said there are security person-nel in border areas to stop smugglers who are now busy supplying sands and betel to India. Such illegal activities

are on the rise in Bhiswa and Budagai areas as well. “We cannot go for regular patrolling due to insecurity,” said a security official, adding that locals might blame them for creating violence if they try to stop smuggling.

As scores of people are

involved in cutting down green tress for firewood, local furniture makers and mills are storing timber in a large scale. Om Prakash Chaudhary of Sedhawa said timber smug-gling is on the rise in Sedhawa, S a n k h a r s a r i a y a , Paterbasugauli, Sonbarsha,

Gadi and Madhuban Mathbal areas which are connected to national forests. “Smugglers are cutting down green tress and are storing them in near-by villages,” he said, adding that such timber is supplied to India at night. Likewise, Ramdev Chaudhary of

Sadhewa said unemployed youths who returned to their villages after participating in indefinite protests are also involved in felling trees.

Smugglers are supplying Saal and Satisaal logs from national forests. Traders said smugglers sell the timber at exorbitant price in India. Sources said logs ready for smuggling can be seen in local settlement from 9pm-11pm and 3am-4am.

Meanwhile, forest officials deployed to patrol the forest areas seized some timber smugglers but released them without initiating legal action. On Monday, Area Forest Office in Basantapur seized 10 bicycles loaded with Saal timber at Sankharsariaya-9 but the smugglers were released after an hour, a source said.

Morcha protesters demand martyr status for deceasedPOST REPORTKATHMANDU, SEPT 12

The Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha (SLMM), who has been demonstrating in several Tarai districts against the proposed sev-en-state federal set-up, decid-ed not to receive the bodies of the deceased persons until their demands are addressed.

A SLMM meeting on Saturday decided not to take the bodies of three people killed in police firing until the government declares them martyrs and lift the curfew orders in Janakpur. Twelve-year-old Dilip Yadav, Niku Kumar Yadav, 18, and Sanjay Chaudhary, 37, died of bullet-inflicted injuries.

Dhanusha Chairman of Sadbhawana Party Sanjaya Kumar Singh said they decid-ed not to receive the bodies until their demands will be addressed.

The District Security Committee imposed curfew in Dhanusha and Mahottari dis-tricts also on Saturday. The local administration lifted curfew between 6 and 8 pm on Saturday to let the locals buy daily essentials.But there were sporadic incidents of protesters defying curfew and clashing with police.

The protesters torched

police stations at Banarjhula and Musarniya in Dhanusha district and the Area Police Office at Mirchaiya in Siraha. Seven people, including an Armed Police Force person-nel, died during protests on Wednesday and Friday in Mahottari.

In Sarlahi, police foiled an attempted attack on Kabilasi Police Post on Saturday. The security person-nel fired five warning shots into the air to disperse the enraged crowd that vandal-ised the post. DSP Ramesh Khada said police had opened fire in self defence after the crowd started vandalising the post and hurled a petrol bomb at them. Four protesters, including Tarai Madhes Loktantrik Party lawmaker Jangilal Raya, were detained for their alleged involvement in the attack.

In Biratnagar, protesters took out a motorcycle rally from the Roadshesh Chok to the border of Sunsari. Similarly in Itahari, the writ-ers also requested the govern-ment and protesters to main-tain peace in the country through their writings.

Three trucks torched

BARA: Activists of the agitating Samyukta Loktan-

trik Madhesi Morcha torched three trucks at Manaharwa-5 along the Kalaiya-Piluwa road stretch on Saturday. The vehi-cles were carrying sugar to Kathmandu and Tanahun from Manaharwa-based Reliance Sugar Mill. A group of around 20 people doused the vehicles with petrol and set them on fire.

Defied in Bardiya, continues in Banke

NEPALGUNJ: Business activi-ties resumed in Bardiya dis-trict headquarters Gulariya on Saturday, defying banda enforced by Tharuhat cam-paigners and Madhes-based parties.

The markets were opened in Gulariya on the orders of Bardiya Chamber of Commerce and Industry. However, the protesters con-tinued their violent demon-strations in Banke district. Six protesters were injured in a clash with security person-nel at Kohalpur. The protest-ers warned to intensify stir, claiming that the major parties were not serious about addressing their demands.

Protest demanding Sherpa State

OKHALDHUNGA: Sherpa com-munities living in the moun-tainous region announced banda, demanding a Sherpa State. The Sherpa State Committee and Nepal Sherpa Association told a press con-ference on Saturday that they would call banda in the proposed Sherpa state on September 13 and 14.

(With inputs from our district correspondents)

paying tribute

n Agrawal women participate in a Kalash rally at Ratnapark in Kathmandu on Saturday to pay tribute to a legendary grandmother, also called Dadiji, who self-immolated after taking revenge on the murderers of her husband. post photo: hemanta shrestha

apf asi murderedn The bereaved family members and relatives at Thaman BK’s house in Nepalgunj. post photo

n The arrestees are made public in Jhapa on Saturday. post photo

n Logs of illegally felled trees at a village in Parsa. post photo

Nepal crisis should be...>> CONTINUED fROM PAGE 1

Hu, however, suggested that Nepal should not look for a “military solution” to the current problem in Tarai and the ongoing standoff between communities.

Prof Hu , who closely fol-lows developments in Nepal and South Asia, hoped that Nepal’s parties reach consen-sus soon. The Director at Institute of South & South East Asian and Oceania Studies at the CICIR, a leading government think tank, said: “I hope (Nepal’s) parties reach consensus. The best way out is through political dialogue and engagement.” Describing the current political situation in Nepal as different from the one before 2006, he said, “The past struggle was a political one between parties. It is now taking a communal turn and mingled with party conflict.”

He suggested that the three

major parties immediately engage leaders from various ethnic groups within their parties and outside. The major parties should also encourage their ethnic lead-ers to reach out to their com-munities, he said.

He expressed nervousness about the possible “spillover” effect of the Nepal situation. “Nepal is not isolated. A mili-tary solution will have disas-trous consequences within and without.” “Nepali leaders should give a statute that’s acceptable to Nepalis,” said Zhang Xuyi, deputy Director General of the Chinese Communist Party International Department. “But I am aware it is not going to be easy as it means looking for agreement between vari-ous parties and communities. But once you keep the public interest at heart, such a thing becomes possible.”

n Women in Kathmandu demand an end to violence in Tarai. post photo

Madhesi Morcha seeks longer halt for talks

>> CONTINUED fROM PAGE 1

SLMM leaders are fearful of the fact that sitting in dia-logue amidst killing of people might give wrong message to protesters on the ground. Morcha leaders have reason to fear as there are several other fronts simultaneously protesting.

They have demanded assur-ance of implementation of past accords reached with the government.

Upendra Yadav, chairman of Madhesi Jana Adhikar Forum-Nepal, said they are ready to seek solution through talks. He, however, said that much will depend on the seri-ousness of the government. “It’s not just about talks. We want fruitful dialogue,” said Yadav. SLMM leaders have demanded to federate the Tarai plain into two provinces. They have also sought major revision in elec-toral system and citizenship provision. Tharuhat forms three-member talks committeeKATHMANDU: Tharu protesters demanding a separate Tharuhat-Tharuwan province have formed a three-member committee for informal talks with Prime Minister Sushil

Koirala and leaders of major parties.

The committee will work to create ‘favourable environ-ment’ for dialogue, said Raj Kumar Lekhi, a member of the committee.

Other members of the com-mittee include Aman Lal Modi and Min Raj Chaudhary. Lekhi, former chairperson of Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities, said that they are scheduled to hold meeting

with PM Koirala on Sunday. “We want withdrawal of

criminal charge and uncondi-tional release of our leaders before negotiation. The gov-ernment is positive on other seven preconditions we for-warded earlier,” said Lekhi.

Responding to Prime Minister’s offer for talks two weeks earlier, Tharuhat-Tharuwan Joint Struggle Committee, a loose alliance of Tharu lawmakers, right organisations and NGOs, had forwarded a seven-point con-dition for talks.

Demands include lifting the curfew, withdrawing the Army from the streets, declaring those who lost their lives in protests as ‘martyrs’ and providing treatment to those injured during the protests.

Tharu leaders’ demand include lifting curfew, withdrawing Army and

declaring those who died in protests as ‘martyrs’

worldkathmandu postthe

PG 05 | Sunday, SePtember 13, 2015 kathmandupost.ekantipur.com

Corbyn wins UK Labour leadershipRadical leftwinger Jeremy Corbyn on Saturday won

the crown of Britain’s main opposition Labour party in a landslide victory, becoming the

nation’s most left-wing political leader for over 30 years. The 66-year-old socialist’s policies have been compared to those of Greece’s Syriza and Spain’s Podemos.

Record breaker cosmonaut backRussian cosmonaut Gennady Padalka returned safely to Earth with two other astronauts Kazakh cosmonaut Aidyn Aimbetov and Danish astronaut Andreas Mogensen from the International Space Station on Saturday after spending a record 879 days in space over five separate trips. Padalka broke a 10-year-old record.

India, Pak border chiefs agree to lower tensionsNEW DELHI: Indian and Pakistani border forces have agreed to maintain restraint on their disput-ed Kashmir frontier, as they sought to defuse tensions that have been heightened in recent months by militant attacks that each side blames the other for. The heads of India’s Border Security Force and the Pakistani Rangers met in New Delhi on Friday to find ways to de-escalate tensions along the border as part of a series of measures agreed by the leaders of the two coun-tries in July.

India restaurant blasts kill 85NEW DELHI: At least 85 people were killed when a cooking gas cylinder blew up in a crowded res-taurant in central India on Saturday, triggering a second blast of construc-tion detonators stored illegally nearby, police said. The explosions tore through the restaurant as people sat down for breakfast during the morning rush hour in the town of Petlawad, about 800 km south of New Delhi, Inspector BL Gaur told Reuters. Gaur said people who had gathered outside the res-taurant after the initial blast were caught in a second explosion when gelatin sticks stored in a nearby building caught light, blew up and buried scores of people as the roof caved in.

Countries eye French warshipsPARIS: Canada, India, Singapore and Egypt are “seriously” interested in buying France’s two Mistral warships, a sen-ior French official has said, after Paris scrapped a deal to sell the vessels to Russia over the Ukraine crisis.

(AGENCIES)

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Agence FrAnce-PresseKARACHI, Sept 12

Karachi, Pakistan’s biggest and most diverse city, was once home to a famous nightclub scene where alcohol flowed freely and luminar-ies from the world of jazz played to packed crowds eager for a taste of Western culture.

Today, a new generation is seek-ing to revive the partying tradi-tions of their parents and grand-parents—albeit behind closed doors. At a luxury hotel in the metropolis of 20 million—better known for bitter political acrimo-ny, gang violence and bloody turf wars—it is after midnight and the private party has just started.

In a room decorated with chan-deliers, several hundred guests are letting their hair down. The music is loud and the bar is busy.

A young female DJ, tanned and tattooed, is in control of the beats. Men dressed in suits and ties

chain smoke as they listen to the electro-funk of Daft Punk, as women in slinky dresses strut across the dance floor.

The partygoers are from a gen-eration that tasted the freedom of a foreign university and overseas travel before returning home to Pakistan.

The party was not advertised—and from the street you would never know it was happening—to avoid the attention of suicide bombers and extremist clerics.

Before the creeping Islamisation from the late 1970s that fundamentally altered the country, Pakistan’s nightlife was legendary.

The golden-era began in the 1950s and rolled on until prohibi-tion in 1977, which was followed by a slew of Islamist policies that drastically altered society.

Alcohol flowed freely in down-town bars and American jazz musicians Dizzie Gillespie and

Duke Ellington played to huge crowds. Clubs such as Playboy, Excelsior, Oasis, Samar, Club 007 all competed to be the place to be seen by Karachi’s hip young crowd. “We used to have a good nightlife with bands, drinks and

dancing but it’s gone,” recalls Imtiaz Moghal, the manager of the Metropole Hotel, once one of Karachi’s hottest nightspots, but which now lies semi-derelict as it awaits renovation.

“It is a haunted house,” he said

as he wandered through the crum-bling remnants of the once-grand hotel. Gesturing at the carpark, he said: “That used to be a club and a disco. It hurts to think about it.”

In Karachi’s heyday, politicians, young people, belly dancers, for-eign diplomats, the cabin crew of foreign airlines and musicians from touring Southeast Asia orchestras were all swept up together in the melee of the city’s nightlife. “The order of music was that you would warm up and then play some more popular songs, and (then) you played the louder music... towards the end of the evening you wind down because people had romantic intentions,” recalls former bandmember Leon Menezes.

From 1970 to 1975, sporting long hair and oversized sunglasses, Menezes’ band The In Crowd was one of Karachi’s most popular.

The group played at the 1972 inauguration of president

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, father of Pakistan’s first female prime min-ister Benazir Bhutto.

The elder Bhutto was a regular at many of Karachi’s nightspots and was known to enjoy his whis-ky. Menezes, now a teacher at a Karachi business school, recalled the day of the inauguration as an “incredible piece of history”.

“In the afternoon we were walk-ing into his house to set up and there was Mr Bhutto... I was carrying an amplifier and a guitar in one hand. And I said, ‘Good afternoon, sir’. And he said, ‘Good afternoon’. I said, ‘Sir, will there be dancing?’ He said, ‘I don’t know but (if there is) please don’t hide yourself.’”

Five years later, Bhutto caved in to pressure from increasingly influential Islamists and banned alcohol, before being overthrown and ultimately hanged by the mili-tary government of Islamist gen-eral Zia ul-Haq.

Karachi’s nightlife behind closed doorsw h i s ky, c lu bs a n d m us i c

Massive rally as Hungary says EU in ‘dream world’Agence FrAnce-PresseLONDON, Sept 12

Tens of thousands of Europeans rallied on Saturday urging solidarity with the huge numbers of refugees entering the continent, as Hungary’s populist premier said leaders were “in a dream world” about the dangers posed by the influx.

In London, one of dozens of events planned across Europe, tens of thousands of people marched brandishing plac-ards reading “Open the Borders”, an AFP journalist said, while in Copenhagen some 30,000 took to the streets, according to police.

Other demos were planned in Germany, Spain, France and elsewhere. But highlight-ing how the arrival of hun-dreds of thousands of migrants is dividing the EU, several counter-demonstra-tions were also scheduled in eastern members of the bloc.

“It’s time to speak out against the deadly borders that have been enacted in our name. People all over Europe are organising resistance and solidarity in their towns and cities,” organisers of the “#EuropeSaysWelcome” initi-ative said on social media.

“We want to let all the refu-gees know: You are welcome!”

At the London protest, a

boy dressed as Paddington Bear had a sign saying: “Paddington Bear Was A Refugee”.

A little girl held up a draw-ing of two hands clasped together with words: “Help Syria, I’ll be your friend”.

The Inter national Organization for Migration said more than 430,000 people have crossed Mediterranean

to Europe this year, with 2,748 dying or going missing in boats operated by human traf-fickers. The influx has exposed deep rifts with the European Union, with “front-line” states Italy, Greece and Hungary struggling to cope and European Commission proposals for sharing 160,000 of the new arrivals in a quota scheme facing resistance

among eastern members.Germany has absorbed the

lion’s share so far, taking in 450,000 people with the gov-ernment of Chancellor Angela Merkel—hailed as a heroine by many migrants but under fire at home, even from allies—relaxing asylum rules for Syrians.

On Friday Germany’s for-eign minister, saying the cri-

sis could be the biggest in the EU’s history, failed in Prague to convince counterparts from eastern Europe to sign up to the Brussels scheme, which both Berlin and the UN say doesn’t go far enough.

Hungary, meanwhile, has seen some 175,000 people trav-el up from Greece across its borders this year. Its plans to build a large fence, deploy the army and jail illegal immi-grants have earned it stiff criticism, stoked by images of migrants in packed camps.

Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann, whose country has seen thousands of migrants enter from Hungary in recent days, with all but a few passing through, was quoted on Saturday as comparing Hungary’s treatment of migrants to the Nazi era.

“Piling refugees on trains in the hopes that they go far, far away brings back memo-ries of the darkest period of our continent,” Faymann told German weekly Spiegel.

But on Friday, Prime Minister Viktor Orban launched his own broadside, saying Europe’s leaders are “living in a dream world” with “no clue” about the dan-gers and scale of the problem, while denying that the migrants are, strictly speak-ing, refugees.

Putin welcomes Ukraine ceasefirereutersCHeRSONeUS (CRImeA), Sept 12

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin said on Saturday it was welcome that fighting had stopped in eastern Ukraine, a change in rhetoric compared to his previous accusations against Ukraine for violating a ceasefire.

Until recently Putin has repeatedly criticised Ukraine for failing to implement a peace deal agreed in February, including by continued shell-ing of rebel-held areas.

“It’s heartening that the main thing is the cessation of shelling of the Donbass (east-ern Ukraine) from the side of the armed forces as well as the so-called volunteer battalions of Ukraine,” he said in the Crimean town of Chersoneus.

“I think that today this is the main achievement.”

Putin was on the latest of several visits to Crimea, again putting Russia’s stamp on the

region it annexed from Ukraine last year during polit-ical upheaval in that country.

This time he was meeting his old friend Silvio Berlusconi, the former Italian prime minister, on a private visit. Both Ukrainian and rebel forces have blamed each other for repeated ceasefire breaches but both sides are now broadly respecting a new ceasefire that came into effect on September 1.

Saudi probes crane collapse that killed 107Agence FrAnce-PresseJeDDAH, Sept 12

Saudi authorities on Saturday were investigating a construc-tion crane collapse that killed at least 107 people during a storm at Mecca’s Grand Mosque, pledging that the annual hajj pilgrimage would go ahead.

Nearly 200 others were hurt and panic broke out as the massive crane crashed down on the mosque, one of Islam’s holiest sites, as worshippers gathered for weekly Friday prayers.

Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims have already arrived in Mecca for the hajj, one of the world’s largest religious festivals which last year drew two million worshippers.

A Saudi official said this year’s hajj would proceed despite the tragedy.

“It definitely will not affect the hajj this season and the affected part will probably be fixed in a few days,” said the official, who declined to be named.

Indonesia, the world’s larg-est Muslim-populated nation, said two of its nationals were killed, while Malaysia and Iran said its citizens were among those injured.

As world leaders offered condolences, the governor of Mecca region, Prince Khaled al-Faisal, ordered an investi-gation into the incident.

Abdel Aziz Naqoor, who said he works at the mosque, told AFP he saw the massive

construction crane fall after being hit by the storm.

“If it weren’t for Al-Tawaf bridge the injuries and deaths would have been worse,” he said, referring to a covered walkway that surrounds the holy Kaaba, which broke the crane’s fall. The Kaaba is a massive cube-shaped struc-ture at the centre of the mosque towards which Muslims worldwide pray.

Local journalist Kamal Idris told AFP that Saudis and foreigners lined up on Friday night to give blood in response to the tragedy.

Outside one hospital, more than 100 people waited in the street for their turn to donate, Idris said.

Pictures of the incident on Twitter showed bloodied bod-ies strewn across a courtyard

where the top part of the crane, which appeared to have bent or snapped, had crashed into the building which is sev-eral storeys high.

A video on YouTube showed people screaming and rushing around right after a massive crash was heard.

The wreckage of the red and white crane was seen lying across the floor of the mosque, where chunks of the floor had been gouged out.

Several other cranes tow-ered over the site.

On Fridays, the Muslim weekly day of prayer, the Grand Mosque is usually at its most crowded. Many faithful would have been gathered there ahead of evening maghrib prayers, which occurred about an hour after the tragedy.

Saudi-led coalition pounds Yemen rebelsAgence FrAnce-PresseSANAA, Sept 12

Saudi-led coalition warplanes heavily bombarded rebel posi-tions across the Yemeni capi-tal Saturday, ahead of expect-ed UN-mediated peace talks, witnesses said.

They targeted arms depots and military camps in the rebel-held capital’s northern districts.

They also struck the rebel-held presidential residence in Sanaa’s southeast and nearby arms depots, witnesses said, adding that warplanes were still overflying the city.

There were no immediate details on any casualties.

In the eastern Marib prov-ince, where the coalition has been focusing its operations in recent days, pro-govern-ment military sources said air strikes on two separate rebel convoys killed at least 23 insurgents. AFP could not confirm the toll from inde-pendent sources, and the

rebels rarely acknowledge their losses. Military officials on the Saudi border told AFP that 20 more coalition mili-tary vehicles crossed into oil- rich Marib, following at least 40 similar vehicles a day earlier.

The reinforcements are being sent in preparation for an offensive to retake the cap-ital, seized by the Shiite Huthi insurgents a year ago.

Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates announced that it has now received the remains of all of its “52 mar-tyrs” who were killed in a missile strike in Marib last week, according to the official WAM news agency.

europe migrant crisis

S’pore ruling party wins pollSingapore’s ruling People’s Action Party exten- ded 56 years in power on Saturday after a lopsid-ed snap election that dashed hopes of a two-party system in the city-state. The vote, which saw party take 83 of 89 seats and nearly 70 percent of the ballots cast, stunned opponents and reversed a plunge in the PAP’s share of the popular vote.

n Protesters hold up placards in support of migrant refugees at a rally in Sydney on Saturday. AFP

n Pakistani musician Alycia Dias (left) sings as her father Max Dias (centre) plays guitar as they perform at a private bar in Karachi. AFP

n Saudis and pilgrims walk past the crane that collapsed the day before at the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia’s holy Muslim city of Mecca on Saturday. AFP/RSS

Arms depots and military camps in the

rebel-held capital’s northern districts

were targeted

Police seek ‘Uighur’ man over Thai bomb

Agence FrAnce-PresseBANGKOK, Sept 12

Thai police on Saturday said an arrest warrant had been issued for an ethnic “Uighur” man over last month’s deadly Bangkok blast, for the first time identifying a suspect as a member of the Chinese minority group.

The announcement fol-lows weeks of speculation over the motive and perpe-trators of the unclaimed attack which killed 20 peo-ple, the majority ethnic Chinese visitors, at a reli-gious shrine in the capital’s bustling downtown district on August 17.

Analysts had increasingly pointed towards a link with the mostly Muslim Uighur minority from northwestern

China’s Xinjiang region but Thai police had up until now refused to reveal any such links.

“He is Uighur according to his passport,” national police spokesman Prawut Thavornsiri told AFP, after authorities released a photo of the moustached and short-haired suspect identi-fied as Abudusataer Abudureheman or “Ishan” of “Uighur” ethnicity and “Chinese” nationality.

Thai authorities are already holding two foreign men in custody over the attack. Ishan, who police say is 27 years old, is among another 11 wanted by police.

Prawut said the suspect, who left Thailand a day before the blast and is want-ed on the charge of “jointly

possessing illegal military supplies”, belonged to the criminal network that police believe is responsible, but he was “not the mastermind” of the attack.

“I cannot confirm his whereabouts,” added the spokesman. But in a state-ment released Saturday Thai immigration police said:

“According to security agencies, Ishan is the one who plotted, ordered, and funded the attack.”

The statement also refers to the arrest warrant for Ishan mentioning his Uighur ethnicity.

The hunt for the perpetra-tors of the bomb blast has been characterised by con-fusing and at times contra-dictory statements from Thai officials.

n Vladimir Putin

When my maternal grandmother was 15, she married my grandfa-ther and moved from Gaur, Rautahat to live with him in Kathmandu. They have been

together for the last 57 years. As chil-dren, my mother would always leave me and my brother at my grandmoth-er’s place whenever she had some work. So I have many fond memories with her. And as she is always proud of my achievements we continue to share a very close bond.

The last time when I went to visit her, I told her that my article was pub-lished on the newspaper. She was very happy to hear that. Then I told her it was a piece on the freedom to marry the person we choose—if a man wants to marry another man or if a woman wants to marry another woman they should be allowed to do so. After I said that, I was certain that she would object to such an argument. And as expected, she told me that it would be very difficult for such marriages to work out. I wanted to know why she felt that way: was it because it would not be not be biologically possible for the partners to produce children? Or was it because it was against our cul-tural and religious norms?

To my surprise she said that it was neither. She explained that if men were to marry men and women were to marry women then there will be no hierarchy. “How would a marriage survive without hierarchy? When both partners are of same sex then who will be the one to compromise?” she asked.

Unequal beginnings My grandmother and I are 44 years apart. And our lives are as different as can be. At the age when she left her parents’ house and came to live with a

total stranger after marriage, I was completing my school. At the age when she delivered her first child, I was leaving the country for my under grad-uate studies. And at the age when she had already given birth to four chil-dren, I am roaming around the coun-try and taking up different kinds of jobs.

No wonder, my grandmother’s reply left me speechless. But perhaps mar-riage is one of those things that could take much longer than 44 years to change. The institution of marriage and the repurcussions of marriage have largely remained the same. Marriage has always been a hierarchi-al institution in Nepal.

It is never about two people starting a life together as equals in our society.

The very foundation of marriage is unequal and it remains so throughout one’s life. In the name of culture and traditions we still practice rituals which not only make the relationship of a man and a woman unequal, but relegate a woman to a far inferior posi-tion behind that of a man. The ritual of Kanyadan during Hindu marriages where the old parents of a girl are sup-posed to wash the feet of a much younger boy so that they can handover their daughter to him is not just regressive but also oppressive. The custom of daughters leaving their par-ents’ house whereas sons bring in new brides to their housemakes make us raise our daughters in such a way that they will be able to easily adapt to liv-ing with strangers on their terms and conditions. The very next day of mar-riage the home one grew up in becomes a girl’s ‘maita’. Daughters are given dowry whereas sons always own

the property.

Changing the systemPerhaps, my grandmother is right. If the structure of our society is to remain the same, then there is very little use of advocating for the equal rights and equal treatment of daughters and sons. If we are not going to change such problematic rituals and customs then it would indeed be better we raise our daughters in such way that they learn how to compromise throughout their lives.

Yet, changing this system into one where men and women are equal partners in the real sense would not only be beneficial for women but also for men and for society at large. The birth of daughters would then be cele-brated by society and infanticides would reduce. The craving for sons would also be reduced and expectant mothers could enjoy their pregnancy. Both brothers and sisters would have the same kind of claim and rights in their parents’ home and would both be expected to look after them when they grow old. The idea of both men and women as bread winners of the fam-ily would take the pressure off men’s shoulders to earn for everyone in the family. Sharing household chores and chil-drearing would also make partners much closer to each other. And instead of making the girl’s family members wash the boy’s feet in marriages, couples would take each others’ hands promise to be friends for life. Perhaps then, when my grandmoth-er asks me who will be the one compromising I would be able to say, “Both.”

Acharya is pursuing a Masters in Gender Studies

thekathmandu postfree the words 06Sunday, September 13, 2015

Mikhail Bakhtin, a Russian literary critic, in his work on the poetics of Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s novels, tells us that the Russian author’s books do not have a single voice or a sin-gle logic in them. Bakhtin tells us

that in autocratic Russia, Dostoyevsky’s novels did precisely what the political system of the time did not allow people to do. His novels allowed his characters, his people to speak in their own distinct voices and to tell their stories. His novels became spaces where different view-points, different ideas were expressed. In an autocratic world, Dostoyevsky’s works were democratic spaces.

While it may be particularly true of Dostoyevsky, any compelling literary work holds the possibility of sustaining the visions of a world not dominated by one single logic or a single way of seeing things within it. The politics of literary fiction stems from the way visions about the world are handled within it. It is in this sense that literary texts provide us with blueprints for our political lives. They make us think what it means to live in a world of competing viewpoints and great social differences.

Age of polarisation The discourse of our times informs our reading of literary texts. Politics against exclusion and exploitation of Dalits, women, Janajatis and Madhesis has molded our consciousness. The domi-nant discourse on social justice in Nepal tells us, and rightly so, that to be critical is to be critical of the dominant class, the dominant caste. This is an important discourse. It makes one question the social and political structure of society, and our own place and complicity in it.

But in times of political polarisation, this critical discourse that relies on defining stable groups in opposition to each other can create further rift. It can create a simplistic notion of friends and enemies. In a recent gathering in New Delhi where matters of Nepal’s Constituent Assembly (CA) were dis-cussed, a speaker claimed that it would be very easy to tell a person’s ideological position on the CA through their sur-name, and their caste. Such a claim saw very little possibility for someone to express a politics outside their caste position and their surname.

Boxing people into rigid categories happens on both sides, distrust occurs both ways. This is the way that polemical politics has always worked, along bifurcations, along sides, along divisions and along an identification of the ‘other’. This becomes the reason why

groups formed in opposition to each other remain locked in long historical battles.

But literary texts force us to see the blurred lines between the self and the other. BP Koirala’s ‘Sumnima’, a contro-versial text burned by Kirati activists for the way it depicts Kirati communi-ties, also sustains moments where we are able to see the blurred lines between the self and the other. The conversation between a young Kirat girl and a young Brahmin boy on the banks of the Koshi in the book is a real dialogue. It creates conflict and drama. The two characters interact and respond to each other. They listen to each other. It affects them; it changes them. We would imagine the powerful party to be all consuming, to be all-powerful but when Sumnima’s logic tugs at Somdutta’s reasoning and threat-ens to destroy it, we know that it is an authentic dialogue that BP gives us. Here, the logic of both the Brahmin and Kirat are ferocious. You cannot tell which party loses, which one wins but

they are both shaped by each other.

Blindsighted by anger Narratives have great power. Once, a Madhesi friend told me his story. He spoke of the unease he felt of being dif-ferent growing up around Newars in the heart of Kathmandu. He said that he always felt uncomfortable for being the only one who celebrated Chhath. He expressed the pain of being a Nepali but never being recognised as one. He nar-rated, with anger and frustration, the sorrow of being denied something that was so dear to him. I could feel his pain, I could relate to him on the plane

of emotions. In the recent meeting in Delhi where I

was told that my surname could define my ideological position, I listened. There was power in the anger of the journalist who spoke about the oppression of the Madhesis to shake me. There were points where I completely agreed with him. But anger can also be blinding. If I wanted to tell him my story, maybe an alternative narrative than what he had already assumed of me, I wonder if he would listen. I wonder if he would under-stand that I could have my stand without being on his side or that of his opponent. I wonder if he would be willing to see that maybe I could be more than my sur-name. But he had made it difficult on the outset for me to claim to be anything other than my caste. To speak and to listen are both processes of change. Sometimes, it is more productive to listen.

Sharma is pursuing an MPhil at the Jawaharlal University, New Delhi, India

Not made in heaven

History matters

Distrust and dialogueIn times of political polarisation, defining groups in opposition to each other can create further rift

The April 25 earthquake trig-gered discussions on subjects ranging from the myopic view of Nepali geologists to the restructuring of Kathmandu

and the country at large. The resto-ration of the cultural heritage is another topic that has been widely discussed. The tremors damaged statues, cultural spaces along nar-row lanes and even the World Heritage Sites in the valley. Many of the destroyed spaces were unceremoniously cleared at the time of the crisis as it was an urgent need then. But it is now imperative that the historic sites especially in Bhaktapur be man-aged and protected properly. The spaces of cultural importance in Bhaktapur have been cleared indiscriminately. The damaged stones and statues seem to be have been dumped in the category of debris.

Value the past When we talk about the promotion of Nepal’s art and architecture, it is always of the Lichchhavi, Malla, Shah and Rana periods. After them, no significant monuments have been built. Even in these

politically volatile times, we must acknowledge the contributions made in the past. The patronage of art and architecture by past rulers should not be taken for granted.

All the sites have intangible and tangible values. The tangible val-ues are markets and communica-tion. Likewise, the scientific val-ues enhance the psychological wellbeing of the public with the religious and ritual aspects of the temples and sacred idols. The com-munication value is associated with the significance of the monu-ments and aesthetic discussions among the public.

The monuments constructed in the past are what we ‘produce and reproduce’ for the tourists who visit these historic and cultural sites. Some examples are the Changu Narayan Temple, Pashupatinath, Swayambhu, the three Durbar Squares, Rani Pokhari and the temples on the banks of the Bagmati River. The spatial strategies of connectivity involved the attempt to translate the facts of social geography into matters of faith, belief and ulti-mately received experiences. These spaces provide an ideologi-cal context for the shared identity of the region.

Cultural traumaThe structural spaces, or the spe-cific sites referred to in this arti-cle, should not be overlooked and their restoration should not be conducted haphazardly. The sites connect the citizens of our coun-try, either religiously, architectur-ally or culturally. Conserving the architecture, heritage, monu-ments and religious spaces is as important as conserving the natu-ral environment. These sites com-municate a rich history of heritage in Nepal. So instead of forgetting them as thing of the past, we should instead relive them by turning them into vibrant spaces that evoke past memories as well as future aspirations.

These sites, along with the immediate community that live near them, function as a centre of social relations. When such spaces are scrutinised, the setting them-selves are not usually considered to be important beyond their sta-tus as facilities that connect our origins and unite the people of the region. Architectural enactments, which decode the importance of

reconciliation through the monu-ments and arts, are the witnesses of connectivity among the Nepali people. Issues of mutual coopera-tion and oneness cannot be under-stood without going through cul-tural memories in any form, espe-cially monuments with a long his-tory of cultural heritage.

Losing the dynamics of space results in cultural trauma. Every place in the present has to be in constant and silent dialogue with the past of the place. In short, it is the performativity of the space that should be in perpetual com-munication.

Therefore, the historical sites that were damaged in the quake are living spaces. The destruction of such spaces has resulted in the fragmentation and weakening of certain social and cultural constit-uencies. The places are beginning to lose their distinctive identities day by day.

New things happen when the past is recalled and understood. If the past is forgotten, we are likely to be traumatised by the loss of our shared identity and heritage that binds us. Hence, it is urgent to ini-tiate the task of restoring heritage sites along with the rebuilding of other kinds of structures damaged by the quake.

Careful restorationSadly, some people, perhaps unknowingly, seem to be exultant at the destruction of the historical sites believing that it marks the elimination of the history of dicta-

tors. My request to such people is to first carefully understand the history of those monuments and historical sites. The loss of histori-cal objects means indeterminacy of our existence and identity. There are many examples from various parts of the world like Russia and China where people want to revive and get associated with their folk and cultural histo-ry which has been lost. I do not mean to support the autocrats and feudal rulers, but there is a need to acknowledge that they have helped the country to establish an identi-ty in the world with the monu-ments they built which have become our shared heritage in due course of time.

Modernist architects too should be aware of this need to preserve historic architecture. At the same time, architects dedicated to pres-ervation or architectural history should be involved in the introduc-tion and development of modern techiques. We should learn from Brazil where prominent architect Lucio Costa was involved in his-toric preservation in collaboration with practitioners of modernist architecture and urbanism. New architects should develop a more cosmopolitan view in relation to those interested in architectural history or historic preservation. Nevertheless, the old cannot be discarded. What we need now is extensive and transparent state involvement in the administration of the maintenance of the artworks and monuments. The government needs to identify dependable experts. It should limit its focus to the upkeep of the cultural heritage and specific sites until the renovation and restoration is accomplished.

Adhikari is a faculty member of the Central

Department of Management, Tribhuvan University

Marriages in Nepal have never been about two people starting a life together on equal terms

AJAPA SHARMA

MEGHARAJ ADHIKARI

C M Y K

PARIDHI ACHARYA

Boxing people into rigid categories happens on both sides, distrust

occurs both ways. This is the way that polemical politics has always worked, along an identification of the ‘other’

The ritual of Kanyadan during Hindu marriages where the old parents of a girl are supposed

to wash the feet of a much younger boy is not just regressive

but also oppressive

The spaces of cultural importance in Bhaktapur

have been cleared indiscriminately. The damaged

statues seem to be have been dumped in the category of debris

There is an urgent need to initiate the task of restoring heritage sites

n Vistors walk on ruins near the Nyatapola temple in Bhaktapur. PHOTO: AFP

thekathmandu post free the words07 Sunday, September 13, 2015

Letter to the

EditorTIME TO CONSIDERn The last phase of the new con-stitution-drafting process started from Tuesday at the Constituent Assembly (CA) after the Drafting Committee Chairman Krishna Prasad tabled it for clause-wise deliberations (‘CA begins Final RD of charter process,’ September 9, Page 1). However, the political scenario inside and outside of the CA are totally dif-ferent, which has made the gener-al public curious about on the one hand and nervous and fearful on the other. It seemed as though the three major political forces do not want to budge from their stance to promulgate the new statute based on their arithmetic strength in the CA.

It is very unfortunate that the Madhesh and Tarai-based politi-cal parties have left the CA due to discontents over the high-handed-

ness of the top three political par-ties. Now, Madhesi Janadhikar Forum-Loktantrik (MJF-L), a sig-natory of the 16-point agreement, has also decided not to participate in the last phase of the constitu-tion drafting process, expressing dissatisfaction over the demarca-tion of the seven provinces.

Indefinite banda in the Tarai against the seven-province model has badly affected the daily lives of the people. As claimed by Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar, Chairman of MJF-L, what would have happened if the major par-ties had agreed to his proposal of delineating eight provinces, which would have been accept-able to over 90 percent of parties and pacified the agitating forces? (‘Over 90pc of parties will sup-port an eight-province model,’ September 9, Page 3). Seeing the ongoing unrests in Madhes and Tarai districts, it does not seem that the new constitution will bring long lasting peace and pros-perity to Nepal.

Rai Biren Bangdel, Maharjgunj

NOT REQUIRED n This is a well-crafted article on surrogacy (‘Womb on rent,’ September 8, Page 7). Since the middlemen and the hospitals are the first and the final links in the surrogacy chain, they must be jointly held accountable for any deception, exploitation or bodily harm to the surrogates and the future of the discarded and deserted children. The onus of raising the children should be shared by the middlemen and hos-pitals if the parents vanish (cou-ple can break up before a child is born) or refuse to accept the child. Since the middlemen are most likely to be well-heeled pro-fessional like doctors, politicians, tourism traders or the private hospitals, and not like the brokers that deal in land or houses who disappear after each deal, they should be registered with appro-priate agencies to ensure that they do not shirk their responsi-bility after pocketing their share of ‘commission and fees’. In a land where regulations can be bought and sold for a few dimes, embarking on surrogacy as medi-cal tourism will be fraught with risks and dangers, even for the doctors and the hospitals if any-thing goes wrong. Rather than selling wombs, kidneys, hearts and brains as medical tourism, it would be worthwhile to learn from developed countries, like Singapore, on medical tourism. As for tourism, we can continue selling our tall mountains, thick jungles, ancient temples, wild riv-ers and vibrant cultures for the next 1,000 years. We do not need to sell wombs to sustain our tour-ism. We just need a few salesmen like the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is already talking of bringing five million tourists to Bodh Gaya.

Manohar Shresthavia email

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As part of the Nepal Picture Library’s educational programme ‘Retelling Histories: Imagining an Inclusive Nepali Past’, we recently completed a unit piloted in two grade eight classes—one in a pri-

vate and the other in a public school. The first phase of the programme con-ducted at the two schools was cut short while the second phase was lengthened in order to include more schools. In any case, we worked with teachers and stu-dents during the three two-hour lessons that were completed within a month.

Curriculum reviewDuring the course of the unit, I noticed student responses, examined student work and exchanged verbal notes with my colleague. But it was important to review the curriculum thoroughly and incorporate the changes in phase two schools. We are also in the process of compiling all the teaching materials— lesson plans, handouts, photos and sam-ples of student work, along with our reflections—in a teacher’s manual. Furthermore, the message that curricu-lum reviews and reflections should be an integral part of the teaching profes-sion needed to be explicitly conveyed.

So I sat down with my colleague to jot down thoughts. We realised that the unit was content-heavy, packed with several new ideas that we tried to teach within a relatively short period. Our primary teaching document, titled Historical Highlights, is a list of impor-tant political movements and transi-tions that took place in Nepal between 1951 and early 2015: the end of the Rana regime, the brief democratic period before the Panchayat era, the two People’s Movements, the People’s War, the subsequent downfall of the monarchy and the naming of Nepal as a republic. Interspersed amid dates and statements are names of key

political personalities. We did not expect students to remem-

ber all these facts. We merely wanted to give them an idea of Nepal’s recent political arc. More importantly, our unit required students to make person-al connections with these political tran-sitions. Students were asked to focus on one of the events, for example, the first People’s Movement, and talk to family members about that time period in order to find out more about familial circum-stances. Then they wrote their reflections focusing on what they had learned about Nepal’s politics and their family histo-ries. They also made collages using polit-ical and family photos, as well as maga-zine strips, pencils and markers.

There was a need to modify the way we presented the Highlights to the stu-dents; a couple of main ideas needed

emphasis. With that in mind, during our review, we included a subtitle in the document, Nepal’s struggle for a constitution, and tied that idea to the current debates taking place in the media and in social circles. The politi-cal photos we projected alongside the Highlights, an interdisciplinary approach infused with the arts being one of the goals of the unit, were too many. So we took out a few and labelled them with the names of personalities wherever appropriate.

Finally, we realised that the collage was not the most appropriate medium for this unit. There were too many materials involved, and it seemed like a new concept for government school stu-dents. So we prepared small booklets that could contain notes and sketches by the students.

State of studentsI am wary about drawing conclusions based on one short pilot project. But I wanted to share some observations, hoping that they will somehow be use-ful to interested folks. In general, stu-dents in both schools were not familiar with most of the political events. Some had heard about the People’s War, but most seemed unaware of it.

The private school students had a relatively easier time with the col-lage-making. I know that this particular school places a high emphasis on the arts, and the students were probably familiar with the medium. For the art-work, we had instructed the students to connect political events with family history and represent that connection in their collages. The government

school students had a very difficult time processing these ideas and coming up with qualitative work. To be fair, this group of students had shorter les-sons and there was also more than a week’s gap between the first two lessons. Hence, most students had forgotten the facts and misplaced the sheets. But we realised that the task itself involved mul-ti-step processing, and there was a need to break down the activities carefully.

When teachers ask too much from their students, there is a danger of con-fusing and overwhelming them. Regardless, there was still a clear discrep-ancy between the levels of these two groups of students. It is possible that over the years, the government school stu-dents—especially the weaker ones—did not get as much attention from teachers, and continually fell behind over the years as coursework increased. Their ability to remember details and make meaningful connections were much below than what is expected from an average eighth grade student.

Big ideasOne of our main goals is to make histo-ry interesting for young students. Another is to make the subject interdis-ciplinary. The third goal is to bring in diverse family histories into the class-room so that stories from the marginal-ised groups can be part of the curricu-lum. The issues of who writes history, whose history is important and what students need to learn need careful examination. We are hoping to engage various educators and policymakers with these ideas.

Major political developments have unravelled in Nepal in the last few dec-ades; but a very small part of this is reflected in the revised Social Studies textbooks. There is an urgent need to inform young students about these events so that they can be active participants in our country’s future. If students’ inter-ests are not sparked at the right time, they turn apathetic. As the trend goes, most of the privileged students will go abroad and become bankers and techies while the rest will scrounge and stay in long queues to go to the Middle East.

Kunwar is a writer and educator based in Kathmandu

NIRANJAN KUNWAR

Past and futureIf history is taught in a fun way to young students, they could be more concerned about the country’s future

Every year, in the run up to Teej, Hindu Nepali women are busy sending out invitations and plan-ning on how to celebrate this festi-val. These days, this festival is

being increasingly recognised and celebrated by women irrespective of their caste, class or marital status. Songs sung during Teej range from those on discrimination and oppres-sion faced by women to those on the need to be united and courageous to claim one’s rights.

This year, some women have come up with innovative ways to celebrate this festival. Three recent incidents in the country appear to have encour-aged women to think differently. The first event was the devastating earth-quakes, which killed thousands of people, caused massive damages to physical infrastructure and affected the livelihoods of millions of people. Second, the current polarisation of citizens along ethnic and geographic lines and third, the ongoing struggle to ensure women’s rights in the con-stitution as the right to citizenship in particular remains unresolved.

Therefore, many women are entirely against the idea of celebrat-ing Teej this year. They ask, “How can we celebrate and rejoice when so many other families continue to strug-gle due to both natural and human-made disaster? Should we not show empathy and mourn the deaths of so many lives and the plight of other women?” They have a point.

But there are others who believe that the earthquake has changed their perspective on life. They believe that they should live life to the fullest by embracing what they have, be positive and share the share the joy of being alive. This they believe will help the country ‘rise’ again. Their argument goes, “Life is too short not to celebrate. We have survived the earthquake!” They have a point as well.

As these views represent two ends of the spectrum on whether to cele-brate Teej or not, there are many like myself who fall somewhere in-be-tween. While I do believe in empa-thising and expressing solidarity with those who are mourning the loss of their loved ones, I also believe in the notion of ‘rising’ again. Based on discussions and views expressed

on social media I am sharing some possible ‘innovative and progressive ways’ to celebrate Teej and other festivals this year.

New ways to celebrateIn the immediate aftermath of the quake, all of us felt that lending a helping hand to others in whatever ways possible gives us immense sat-isfaction and pride. People within the country and abroad organised several events to collect funds and other materials for our country to ‘rise’ again. One notable event, par-ticularly targeted at women, was col-lecting funds to prepare the ‘mahina-wari jhola’ (dignity kits) for young girls and women in the post-disaster situation.

While celebrating Teej, women often give clothes and accessories to other female members of their fami-ly and friends. For a change, we could collect funds from like-minded women (and men) to help the victims of the disaster this year. As many organisations might already be doing so, such groups could expand their network and call upon others to join the cause.

Another way we could celebrate Teej is by exchanging books, organis-

ing and participating in talks, discus-sions and workshops. Discussions and workshops can be organised on the ongoing debates on women’s right to citizenship. Furthermore, we can collect funds to train and build skills of women affected by the quake so that they can engage in or start their own enterprise. In addition, concentrated efforts should be made to buy goods from women producers, as it will not only boost their sales and enterprises, it will also provide money to women who are supporting their families.

Of course, one does not need a spe-cific festive season to commit to and act upon any new or existing ideas to help women, nor does one have to be a woman to do so. In the long run, we should all commit ourselves to sup-porting women and also seek more cooperation from the government and the private sector. But for now, if we want to do something for the women who need help. So let us cele-brate Teej in a different manner, add-ing to the numerous ongoing initia-tives to empower women.

Adhikari holds a Phd from the Centre for the study on Women and

Gender, University of Warwick, the UK

By the women

MONA SHRESTHA ADHIKARI

This year, let us celebrate Teej by making a contribution to the quake-affected women

Road to nowhere

It has been well proved that in its current shape, the proposed constitution of Nepal does not guarantee an effective model of federalism, and that it has discriminato-ry citizenship provisions. Thus, the uproar

against it is justified. But resorting to mind-less violence and later inviting even harsher state reactions is not something which will be beneficial in the long run. Like in other democracies of South Asia, the concept of ‘political economy’ is rarely considered in Nepal—a clear distinction is made between ‘politics’ and ‘economy’.

Unnatural separation Because the political classes have perhaps never been concerned with it, there has been a failure over the decades to propa-gate the importance of a strong national economy. The cost of goods and services clearly indicates an income divide among the population; this contributes to issues of marginalisation among certain groups. In tandem with the current state of incon-clusive political processes, the economic situation does not look promising—the unnatural number of emigrants and import of goods shows no signs of stopping.

A very low trade volume and unfavoura-ble macroeconomic indicators undermine the potential for economic growth that Nepal has with its competent human resources and abundant and untapped natural resources. The dwindling indus-tries, infrastructures, and peoples’ trust in establishments have made the people in places like Janakpur full of despair and angst. Since the outbreak of the Maoist rebellion, these places suf-fered immensely. They lost the shine which not long ago was their hallmark. The dormant state of such places is very alarming.

But the

shifts in modes of production from these terrains have serious implications. The recent series of unfortunate events, such as the killings of both civilians and police at Jaleswar and in Kailali, manifests the growing intolerance and angst. The eco-nomic situation has been hindered by this. A political divide has been created, but the government is in no hurry to bring an end to this stalemate, which would allow mil-lions of houses—in areas cut from civil supplies due to the riots—to once again continue to function.

Supply trucks are stranded near the fringe towns of the Nepali-Indian border as a result of the recent political turmoil. It is unfortunate that this state of uncertain road blockades has now come to be known as the new ‘normal’. With how things are working right now, words like ‘inclusive-ness’ are only empty promises which do not help people who have no way of surviv-ing with the loses of their civic and eco-nomic tractions.

The noticeable effect of these circum-stances is the large scale emigration of peo-ple to countries with high labour demands—although these are cases of ‘upward mobility’ because of the condition these people have to live in. The fields of economy and sociology agree that the unnatural trend of emigration is tanta-mount to the disintegration of the national economy.

Another tragedy along the same lines is the rampant human trafficking that has been present across Nepal in recent years. On September 9, 2015, The Indian Express reported news of a diplomat from Saudi Arabia in New Delhi who was booked (but

not arrested) for the gang-rape and wrongful confinement of two wom-en-a woman, 44, and her daughter, 20, from the Morang district of Nepal. This came into light through the efforts of the NGO Maiti Nepal and the Nepali Embassy in New Delhi. Will the Nepali government come forward and act against this exploitation of diplomatic immunity to bring jus-tice to those women?

The effects of the frac-tured-economy are many. It

would be a daunting task to investigate its implications

on the human sufferings of the people. As the royals

have long gone out of the scene, the radicals no longer stand for the cause they once stood for and the moderates have been ineffective, the only hope are the masses. They should come together to clean Nepali.

Thakur is a New Delhi-based

journalist and writer

ATUl K THAKUR

It is unfortunate that uncertain road blockades have now come to be known as the new ‘normal’

n An illustration of the difficulties faced during Nepal Banda by Raju Mahato, a student at Lalitkala Madhyamik Vidhyalaya.

post gRAphics

et ceterakathmandu postthe

kathmandupost.ekantipur.com

Tourism video screeningWonderful Everest View Treks and Expedition (WEVTE) will organise a video-screening pro-gramme at the premises of Dormitory Nepal, Baluwatar, Kathmandu, on September 14. The video, titled Kathmandu City and Unexpected Adventure, aims to to reassure travellers around the world that Nepal is safe for travelling.

IELTS workshop at IAEEducational consultancy IAE Nepal will organise a work-shop at its head office in Thapathali, Kathmandu, on September 13. During the workshop, students taking courses like IELTS, TOEFL and PTE will be provided with the basic tips and techniques on taking the exams. The workshop will be led by Sumita Gurung and Pradeep Shrestha. For details, contact: 01 5111005 / 015111143

Teej Dance programmeFlame Dancer is organising a dance pro-gramme, titled Kathmandu Dance Collective: Happy Teej, at the House of Music, Thamel, on September 16. The programme is being held to provide a dance venue for the women around the city who are celebrating the fes-tival of Teej. The event will start at 7 pm.

PG 08 | Sunday, SePtember 13, 2015

C M Y K

Chandra K PJr

You will come across her while attend-ing to a dance show during your final year at high school. She will be wear-ing a blue-white vertically striped dress. Her hair will be a casual pony-tail bunched inside a yellow rubber

band. She will have kohl black oblique eyes and a strange way of narrowing them as though trying to read some faraway signs. She will not talk to anybody. She will indif-ferently float her way to take a seat in an empty chair by you. She will sit down with an elbow on the table and her perfectly chiseled face will be cupped in the palm of her hand. She will look around the corners as though considering striking up a conver-sation with the walls and the curtains. She will not look up at the stage and you will not look away from her. “Got a match-stick?” She will ask you, still looking into a far corner. You will pull out a matchbox from your pocket and hand it over to her. She will light up a cigarette sending out spirals of white smoke. She will not return your matchbox and you will pretend you don’t care about it.

“Like to dance with me?” she will mum-ble a question to you, letting out curls of smoke from her mouth and nostrils. “Don’t tell me you do not know how to dance.”

At that particular instant you will regret many things, almost everything. You will repent all those long frustrating hours you will have spent studying mathematics and physics. You will think how wonderful it would have been had you learnt to drift and swirl around elegantly in circles and ellip-ses instead of having learnt to find their equations. That will make you hate mathe-matics more than ever. “I don’t know any moves,” you will somehow manage.

“Neither did I when I first came here,” she will smile, and her cheeks will pit into two little magnificent dimples. “Needn’t

worry. I will teach you.” At about midnight, the show will con-

clude. The last item will be hers. She will dance to the beats of a popular Hindi song, Madhuwala. And you will be entirely gripped by her mind-blowing performance. Her graceful movements and the enigmatic bending and arching of her different body parts and her artistic expressions will ensnare you. You will fall for her.

“Tomorrow, this very time,” she will remind you while parting.

That night you will not sleep. Or maybe you will not be able to sleep. You will play with all the blissful prospects that the future held in store for you. You will impa-tiently want the dawn to tear open. Time will drag slowly and you will lose your

temper. The more impatient you grow, the slower time will stagger along.

But it will not stop, time.The next day, when you will meet her

she will not be the fashionable girl you saw the day before. Her rumpled shirt will be buttoned wrong and her shoelaces will be untied. Her hair will be tangled and wildly kempt. However she will appear more gor-geous than ever. She will welcome you with her dimpled smile. You will talk to her about the types of dances you love. She will comment on your choices. You will like her comments, although you will find no par-ticular reason for your liking. After a while, she will start by teaching you the basic dance steps. As days progress, you will discover that you dance physically when with her and emotionally when not with her. Soon you will realise that she has

inspired a great dance in your heart.Gradually, you will get addicted to her.

To her almond-shaped eyes.To her bow-shaped eyebrows.To her charming smile.To her copper brown hair and to her spar-row-sweet voice. So every day you will go forth into her world to forge an unbreakable relation of love. To frame an eternal bond.

Soon you will begin to go out together, and one day you will smuggle her into your room. You will talk to her about your dreams and tell her that your greatest aspi-ration is to marry her. She will smile and kiss you on your lips. It will be the type of kiss that demands kissing back. So you will kiss her harder. After a while she will unbutton her shirt and you will yours. Both of you will lie there, skin to skin. Her

paleness against your brownness. She will smell of old rose petals. You will stroke her copper brown hair, letting your fingers stray through her scalp, allowing them to dance on her heart-shaped red lips. And she will love that. She will pull you impossi-bly closer and whisper into your ears, “Dear Robin, I love you more than anything I ever loved.” “I love you too,” you will say and do the best thing you will have ever done.

Time will pass in a great rush. Years will glide away swiftly without a glitch. Yet each moment you will spend with her will be carved deep in your heart. Once you will dance with her in a grand show which will be appreciated by several people. It will be the best day of your life.

And time will continue its never ending marathon.

It will be a gloomy evening. You will be

in your room when she will come to you and inform you that she has blood cancer. At first you will not believe her but when you will look into her eyes you will know that she is serious. Instantaneously an incomprehensible fluid ache of fear will ripple through you. Tears will attempt to leak from the corners of your eyes but you will manage to stop them.

“Are you afraid?” She will ask you.“I don’t know, sweetie,” you will

reply. Then you will hold her right hand and gently caress it. “Don’t worry, dear, things will change.”

Things will really change but not the way you will have thought. The demon of her illness will inevitably start to devour her. Day by day she will grow frail and weak. The red of her lips will fade to dark blue hue and her hair will start to fall out. Her voice will become feeble and inau-dible, and it will need a lot of work for her to even utter your name. But you will not give up. You will do your best to provide her the best available medical treatments. You will pray for hours to god but he will not listen to you. The disease will win the battle and you will be able to do nothing. One night, alone in a little corner, you will cry for your angel.

Her copper brown hair will start to fall out in thick lumps and it will be impossible to keep the fragmented patches of remain-ing hair. So one day she will come to you with her shaved head, her beautiful tangles of copper gone. She will hurl herself into your arms and sob like a little baby. This time you will cry too. Later that day you will go to her parents and request them to let you keep her with you. They will allow it. You will look after her like a mother caring for her sick child. You will not sleep for days and nights, and stay by her bed and sing songs for her. And tell stories too.

“Why do you love me so much?” she will ask you.

“Because,” you will reply with tears dribbling down along your cheeks, “I was born for that. Because the lord created me to look after his most precious angel that you really are.”

“Will you dance with me?” You will ask her one night.

She will smile and agree.You will help her stand and then lift her

lightly in your arms. She will loop her hands around your neck while you play the music player. It will be her best music, your best music. Beethoven’s Fur Elise. Both of you will gracefully drift about in arcs and curves performing the world’s best dance. You will wish to freeze this moment, to stop time and stretch it to infin-ity. But time is a dedicated marathon run-ner; it will not stop. She will place her head on your shoulders and completely give herself to you. You will embrace her like your most precious gift. A gift that will soon be taken away. You will hold her like that in your arms for hours and watch her sleep on your shoulders. You will never forget that night.

A few weeks later, on a cool, silent morn-ing, your love and the best dancer you will ever see will breathe her last.

Now whenever you will hear the song, Madhuwala, the stage will rise in front of you and there she will be—dancing. But this time she will not be alone.

Bijay Kumar bags Madan PuraskarKATHMANDU: The 2071 Madan Puraskar has been awarded to writer Bijay Kumar for his book Khusi. The book, a collection of autobiographical essays, was pub-lished last year. The revelation, that Kumar would get the award, was made by journalist Kunda Dixit through a tweet on Friday. As part of the award, Kumar will also get a cash prize of Rs 200,000. The Madan Puraskar Guthi has also decided to award the Jagadamashree Puraskhar to Angur Baba Joshi for her lifelong contri-bution to the Nepali language and Nepali society.

Similarly, the Padmashree has been jointly award-ed to Upendra Subba for his anthology of short stories, Lato Pahad, and to Mohan Mainali, for his book Mantha Darayeko Jug. The comedian duo of Madan Krishna Shrestha and Haribansha Acharya have been awarded the Padmashree Sadhana Samman award for their contribution to Nepali society and the arts.

Sizzling Suji

You will help her stand and then lift her lightly in your arms. She will loop her hands around your neck while you play the music player. It will be her best music,

your best music. Beethoven’s Fur Elise. Both of you will gracefully drift about in arcs and curves performing the world’s best dance

How did your journey as an RJ begin? What sparked the interest?

Even though I grew up as a Millennial kid in the fast-paced world of the internet age, I surprisingly found solace in the radio. When my dad brought home this awesome multi-functional digital alarm clock with a radio, my sister and I were immediately hooked. I really loved finding

out about new artists and new songs. At the same time, I was into hosting events, and I thought being an RJ would be a perfect ‘symphony’ of music and talking. My mama helped me with my applica-

tion process at Hits FM and the rest, as they say, is history.

What are you currently involved with, besides RJ-ing?

I work as a teacher and a health instructor. I will forever be grateful to my alumni, Malpi Institute, for believing in me and giving me my first opportunity to teach the A-Levels Sociology and Psychology courses and I have been doing so for the past five years. I am also an IBDP English B lecturer at Ullens School. As for my work in the gym, I help people with their #fitnessgoals with my Zumba and aero-bics classes.

What are the shows you are currently doing?

I like to say that I make my “special appearance” three evenings a week on the radio; every Monday, Wednesday

and Friday from 8-9pm. I am a huge fan of the hip hop and rap genres, and on Fridays, that is the music I spin on the show Raise Da Roof. It is an original hip hop and rap show, and I could not be more proud of it. Mondays on Cyber Connection are about websites and song requests through emails, and Surfin’, the show on Wednesdays, is all about movies and Hollywood.

What are your thoughts on working as a VJ? Have you tried your hand at it?

I think it would be awesome to work as a VJ, but my ultimate love is radio. I have not tried any music-based shows but I have had some TV experience: I was on Khazzamandu, with the fabulous host Alok Thapa, who roped me in to be his foodie-partner-in-crime. It was a lot of fun but I do not see myself running any shows on the small screen any time soon.

Your most memorable moment till date as an RJ.

Just thinking of the many incidents right now makes me smile and it is quite difficult to choose only one. Anyway, since I have to choose, there is this one incident that hap-pened during loadshedding hours. My show was supposed to start at 8 pm but due to some unforeseen circumstances, the station was down and when we got back on air, it was already 8.30! Thinking of adding a spe-cial twist to the delayed show, I got permis-sion from my senior producer, and instead of doing a solo show, I invited two of my

colleagues to join me—that was an epic half an hour.

What is your favourite show?

Every show that I have done has been spe-cial in its own way, but the one that I am totally biased about has got to be Raise Da Roof. It has been my baby since I started with it eight years ago.

Any challenges you have faced?

Initially, the biggest challenge for me was my accent, since I was raised in Singapore, and apparently, my accent stood out in both positive and negative ways. It

was also the same for my pronunciation. Thus, I had to work extra hard in those areas and that was quite an uphill task.

Who is your favourite RJ?

Now, that puts me in a spot! I guess for me, a good RJ is someone who has a good com-mand of the language, plays fantastic music, makes things interesting by providing triv-ia and when you listen to him/her, it feels like a conversation where the RJ is just there with you. For me, someone who embodies all of that talent is Alok Thapa and he is definitely my favourite RJ.

What are your future plans?

The one thing that has remained constant in my life ever since I came back to Nepal is Hits FM 91.2. It was my first job here and I

know for a fact that the love I have for the radio is something that will always be there. So yeah, in the future, I definitely see myself still on the airwaves. Apart from that, I am working on a venture related to education and learning, which I hope will materialise very soon.

A few words for aspiring RJs.

Music is something that everyone loves, but it takes more than just musical knowledge to make it as an RJ. You must be prepared to be judged, and learn from constructive crit-icisms. This profession is also about getting delayed gratification, so that is something you should consider before you decide to throw your hat in the ring. All in all, if this is something that you would love to do, then you ought to give it a try.

You also work as a Zumba instructor and as a columnist. How do you have time to juggle all these roles?

Juggling takes a lot of practice/time; some days are crazier than others and I have to make many sacrifices—I have to sacrifice family time, give up on sleep, etc. It helps to have really understanding and supportive family members who do not mind if I am not spending time with them. Eventually, I push myself because it was my own deci-sion to be involved in these different fields and I am so passionate about each of them. What I have realised is the importance of going after what you love. Another neces-sary aspect? Scheduling beforehand and planning your work every week.

fiction park

ShE, ThE danCEr

Her copper brown hair will start to fall out in thick lumps and it will be impossible to keep the fragmented patches of remaining hair. So one day she will come to you with her shaved head

Sujita Gurung, known as ‘Suji to the A’ on Hits FM, is one of the most popular RJs among youth audiences. She has a way with words and she’s known around town for being a master of many trades. The Post’s Alisha Sijapati caught up with Gurung to learn about her fun-filled journey as a media personality. Excerpts:

spotlight

Teej fundraiser at Hotel AnnapurnaPoST rEPorTKATHMANDU, SepT 12

Acknowledging the importance of empowering women in all sectors, a Teej-themed charity event was organised at the Annapurna Hotel on Friday to raise money for Mary Ward School, Lubhu.

CSR, a non-profit organisation that seeks to create awareness of important issues for women, hosted the event, which was entitled I am Woman, What’s your Superpower? The organisers hoped to raise funds to sponsor the education of grade 8 and 10 students for a full term at Mary Ward School.

Every woman invited to the event received a pouch that included discount vouchers, bangles and teekas to mark the special occasion of Teej. The event was attended by famous Nepali personalities, including Evana Manandhar, Miss Nepal 2015.

“Empowering women to fully participate in eco-nomic life across all sectors is essential for building stronger economies, achieving internationally agreed-on goals for development and sustainability, and improving the quality of life for women, men, families and communities,” said Suarpana Shahi, Assistant Manager-Marketing of CSR. Ensuring the inclusion of women’s talents, skills and energies—from executive offices to the factory floor and in sup-ply chain networks—requires intentional actions and deliberate policies, the organisers further mentioned.

“I am proud of all the women executives of our organisation. They all have done a brilliant job to make this party successful,” said Shreejana Rana, R and D Director of Hotel Annapurna.

n Bijay Kumar

n Angur Baba Joshi

BBCLondon, Sept 12

Benedict Cumberbatch is supporting a drive to raise money for Syrian refugees, by lending his support to the release of a

charity single.He is introducing a short

video called Help is Coming, which accompanies the

Crowded House track of the same name. It has been put

together by journalists Caitlin Moran and Pete Paphides, with

money going to Save the Children.“I started imagining my family in a

similar situation, and almost without me realising it, a song I hadn’t heard for several years started playing in my head,” said Paphides, a music critic for The Times.

“Help Is Coming was recorded by Crowded House over 20 years ago, but it evokes with uncanny empathy the howling uncertainty faced by thou-sands of families arriving in

Europe for the first time.”Columnist Moran, who is

married to Paphides added: “The day after the pictures of

three-year-old Alan Kurdi went around the

world—it was like a switch had been flicked.

“My social media timelines were full of people who just could not stay inac-tive any more... People doing that bril-liant, simple, ageless human thing of wanting to help other people.

“So, Pete and I were just doing what everyone else was doing, really. He’d found the perfect song... and I just went on Facebook and told everyone what we were doing.

“And everyone was desperate to help—everyone felt the same way”.

The hard-hitting short film which accompanies the song was made by Mat Whitecross, who uses interviews with children fleeing from Syria along with footage of boats making it to dry land. Cumberbatch introduces the film, reciting lines from the poem Home by Warsan Shire, a Kenyan-born poet who came to the UK as a baby.

The Sherlock actor then says: “As people watching this tragedy unfold from the safely of our homes, with our safe children, we want to say that we see you, we hear you and help is coming.”

life&stylekathmandu postthe

PG 09 | Sunday, SePtember 13, 2015 kathmandupost.ekantipur.com

Divergent films renamedDespite being two halves of a single book, Lionsgate has opted to remove the Part 1 and Part 2 descriptors from the movies’ titles. Instead the first will simply be called The Divergent Series: Allegiant, while the latter will be called Ascendant.

BORN TODAYGerman footballer Thomas Muller is 25

American guitarist Dave Mustaine is 53

American entrepreneur Freddie Wong is 29

Irish singer Niall Haron is 21

British actor Layton Williams is 20

Iron Maiden tops the British chartEnglish heavy metal band Iron Maiden have topped the British charts on Friday with their 16th studio album, titled Book of Souls, the Official Charts Company said. The band, led by Bruce Dickinson, last topped the charts in summer 2010 with their album The Final Frontier.

C M Y K

Benedict Cumberbatch joins Syria charity single drive

‘more roles should be rewritten for women’

AssoCiAted Presstoronto, Sept 12

George Clooney says the political campaign strategist drama Our Brand Is Crisis was sitting on the shelf when Sandra Bullock called up with a novel idea: Change the protagonist to a

woman, and let her star in it. Clooney and Bullock debuted the David Gordon Green-directed film on

Friday at the Toronto International Film

Festival. The film, inspired by the 2005 documentary

of the same name, is about a fictional politi-cal strategist (Bullock) who runs an American-style campaign in a Bolivian elec-tion.

Though the lead had been written as a man,

Bullock said little in the script need-

ed to be altered.“The character is

basically the same, other than the sex,” she

said after the film’s pre-miere. She also

ribbed her for-mer Gravity co-star, say-ing it was “a role George could have played, or maybe I could have played it better.”

Clooney suggested such gender switches should happen more fre-quently in Hollywood.

“There’s a lot more out there if people just started thinking,” he said to applause.

Our Brand Is Crisis, which Warner Bros. will release Oct. 30, was pro-duced by Clooney and his producing partner, Grant Heslov. It drew mixed reviews at its Toronto premiere.

One of its scenes prompted Bullock and Clooney to again consider their interchangeability.When the election heats up, Bullock’s character moons the rival campaign from a bus win-dow. Asked by an audience member if she acted out the scene, herself, Bullock claimed Clooney was her “butt double.”

VENICE FILM FESTIVAL TO NAME GOLDEN LION WINNERVENICE: After 10 days that brought cinematic tales of war, crime and turmoil to the tranquil Lido island, the Venice Film Festival is set to crown its prize-winner.

A jury led by Mexican director Alfonso Cuaron will award the Golden Lion Saturday to one of 21 competing films. Critics’ favourites

include Amos Gitai’s anatomy of an assassination, Rabin: The Last Day; Marco Bellocchio’s lush vampire fable Blood of My Blood; and Charlie Kaufman and Duke Johnson’s ani-mated Anomalisa.

Beyond the prizes, the festival pro-vided red carpet photo-opportunities for stars including Jake Gyllenhaal, Kristen Stewart, Tilda Swinton and Johnny Depp.

It also identified some early poten-tial Oscar contenders, including Depp for his performance as gangster Whitey Bulger in Black Mass, and Eddie Redmayne as a transgender artist in The Danish Girl. (AP)

RANbIR Is A hugE stAR:

DEEPIkAindo-AsiAn news serviCeMuMbai, Sept 12

Actor Ranbir Kapoor might be going through a low phase in his career but his Tamasha co-star Deepika Padukone still considers him “a huge star who brings a lot in the film”.

The actress was present at a press conference of Axis Bank here on Friday. On being asked about working with her former beau Ranbir, whose last few films have not turned out to be hits, Deepika said: “Ranbir is a huge star, we all know that. Everyone has their ups and downs through their careers. I don’t think I am anyone to comment on what he has been through.”

Although both Deepika and Ranbir have worked with Tamasha director Imtiaz Ali in different films, this is the first time the two will be seen together in an Imtiaz’s directorial. Deepika calls it “a special project”.

The 29-year old said: “Tamasha is a very special film for all of us. We have all worked with each other individually in a different capacity. All three of us are very good friends and it was always a dream for me to work with this team.

“It’s been a very special journey and very special film. If it does well, we all will be equally responsible and if not, then also we all be equally responsible.”

Tamasha is slated to release of November 27.

Anushka shoots down Sultan rumours

indo-AsiAn news serviCeMuMbai, Sept 12

Actress Anushka Sharma, who is cur-rently in London to shoot Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, has shot down “strange”

rumours about her pres-ence in Salman Khan star-rer Sultan.

“Here I’m busy shoot-ing and I read that my next film is ‘Sultan’! News to me guys..sorry to disap-point... I am always sup-posedly doing more films than the ones I am actual-

ly committed to doing! Strange, (sic)” Anushka tweeted on Friday.

Sultan, produced by Aditya Chopra under his Yash Raj Films banner, is reportedly based on the life of a wrestler. While the Dabangg star will be seen in the lead role, his

leading lady in the film is yet to be announced. Anushka’s name is said to have come up after Parineeti Chopra report-edly walked out of the movie.

The film’s shooting is scheduled to commence in November, and its release date has been fixed for the auspicious occasion of Eid in 2016. Meanwhile, Sultan director Ali Abbas Zafar is in Los Angeles to work “set the action” for the movie with Larnell Stovall, an international fight choreographer.

Sultan, produced by Aditya Chopra under his Yash Raj Films banner, is reportedly based on the

life of a wrestler

BIEBER hONOuRS 9/11 VICTIM FAMILIESNEw YoRk: Singer Justin Bieber played an acoustic show for those who lost their loved ones in the 9/11 attacks, as well as for children from the Make-A-Wish foundation. Bieber appeared on the Today show on Thursday as the last guest on its Toyota Summer concert series this year. He performed for a huge number of fans, packing the Rockefeller Center here.

Later while backstage, Bieber played acoustic versions of his songs like What do you mean and All that matters with guitarist Dan Kanter backing him for the special guests, reports a source. Earlier on Thursday, Bieber played some of his biggest hits including older songs like Boyfriend and Baby while taking the main stage of the Today show. (IANs)

GoT BOOk SET FOR 2016 RELEASELos ANgELEs: Game of Thrones fans are set to get their hands on George R.R. Martin’s next book as early as next year. The highly anticipated novel Winds of Winter could arrive in 2016, if the book’s Spanish publisher is to be believed. Alejo Cuervo, the Spanish editor of R.R. Martin’s Song of Ice and Fire series, broke the news in an interview with a local radio station. Cuervo said that the book is “expected next year.”

When asked if the book would definitely arrive next year, Mr. Cuervo replied, “Well, let’s see, confident... But a meteor could fall.” Season six of Game of Thrones is currently filming and will return on April 3, 2016. (PtI)

SRk pROuD OF FANMuMbAI: Superstar Shah Rukh

Khan, who has completed the shooting of Maneesh Sharma’s directorial Fan, says he becomes “arrogant” every time he sees the film.

The 49-year-old actor will be seen essaying the role of a fan named Gaurav in the film. “Whatever anyone might say…the honest truth is that whenever I see ‘FAN’ the film, I become arrogant. Thanks Maneesh and team for finding me again, (sic)” SRK tweeted on Friday. Produced by Yash Raj Films, the movie will hit theatres on April 15, 2016. The Chennai Express actor will next be seen in Rohit Shetty’s Dilwale, which also features Kajol, Varun Dhawan, Kriti Sanon, Boman Irani and Vinod Khanna. The film is slated to release on December 18. (IANs)

Cumberbatch introduces the film, reciting lines from the

poem Home by Warsan Shire, a Kenyan-born poet who

came to the UK as a baby

thekathmandu postvariety 10Sunday, September 13, 2015

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A pregnant woman gets into a car accident and falls into a deep coma. Asleep for nearly six months, she wakes up and sees that she is no longer pregnant. Frantically, she asks the doctor about her baby. The doctor replies, “Ma’am, you had twins! A boy and a girl. The babies are fine. Your brother came in and named them.” The woman thinks to herself, “Oh no, not my brother--he’s an idiot!” Expecting the worst, she asks the doctor, “Well, what’s the girl’s name?” “Denise,” the doctor says. The new mother thinks, “Wow, that’s not a bad name! Guess I was wrong about my brother. I like Denise!” Then she asks the doctor, “What’s the boy’s name?” The doctor replies, DeNephew.

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LAUGH OUT LOUD

5:00 Shuvaprabhat/ Bhaktisur

5:30 Kundali/ Aatma Gyan

6:30 Jyotish Manthan 6:40 Sky Shop7:00 Kantipur Samachar8:00 Kantipur News8:30 Rise n Shine9:00 Headline News9:05 Pariwartan10:00 Kantipur Samachar10:30 Kantipur Aaja11:00 Headline News11: 05 Uddhyam11:30 Feature12:00 Kantipur Samachar12:30 Kantipur Tiffin Box

1:00 Headline News1:05 Countdown

Kantipur1:30 Frame By Frame2:00 Kantipur Samachar 2:30 Rise n Shine3:00 Headline News3:05 Pariwartan4:00 Kantipur Samachar4:30 New Entry 5:00 Headline News5:05 Call Kantipur

Reloaded 6:00 Kantipur News 6:30 Lok Geet

Countdown 7:00 Kantipur Samachar7:30 Harke Haldar

8:00 Kantipur Samachar9:00 Sajha Sawal10:00 Kantipur Aaja 10:30 Kantipur News 11:00 Kantipur Samachar11:30 Harke Haldar 12:00 Call Kantipur

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Repeat 12:30 Ukali Orali3:00 Kantipur Samachar

Repeat 2 3:30 Sajha Sawal 4:30 Harke Haldar

00:00 Non-stop Hindi Songs

02:00 Non-stop Nepali Pop/ Adhunik Songs

04:00 Non-stop Bhajan05:00 Bhakti Anusthan06:30 Kantipur Diary07:00 The Headliners07:30 Bal Adhikar Ra

Sarokar08:00 Kantipur Diary08:05 Namaste Nepal09:00 Kantipur Diary

09:15 Traffic Update 09:20 Entertainment Buzz10:00 Kantipur Diary10:05 Wish U All the Best11:00 Kantipur Diary11:05 Aaja Ka Nari12:00 Kantipur Diary12:10 The Turning Point13:00 Kantipur Diary13:05 Ke Chha Nepal14:00 Kantipur Diary14:05 Ke Chha Nepal15:00 Kantipur Diary15:15 Raiwar

16:05 Sing on Demand17:00 Kantipur Diary17:05 Saathi Sanga

Manka Kura18:00 Opening Page18:30 Kantipur Diary18:55 Khoj19:00 Chart Busters20:00 Kantipur Diary20:05 Hindi Hungama21:00 Kantipur Diary21:30 Indreni22:00 Romantica23:00 Jeevan Sangeet

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ARIES (March 21-April 19)***Rushing around from one adventure to another might sound like a great way to spend your life, but if you’re always off saving the world or solving the latest big-time crisis, when will you have time to take a nap and read a good book? Balance is the key!

TAURUS (April 20-May 20)**No matter how cute you think someone is today, their personali-ty will put you off. Arrogance, after all, is a very ugly accessory. There is no need to tolerate a rude person, no matter how attrac-tive they are or how powerful they may be.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21)***Using your compassion will help you make it through the day more easily. There are quite a few opinionated people on your horizon, and trying to put yourself in their shoes is the best way to keep yourself from getting unduly angry.

CANCER (June 22-July 22)***Living high on the hog sure can be great for a while, but sooner or later you could end up slipping right off--and landing in the mud! You have got to curb your impulse buying right now, high-rider.

LEO (July 23-August 22) ****Do something just for the thrill of it today! Forget about getting stuff done, making progress on a big project, or impressing that certain someone. You’re in good standing on all those fronts and can just take a break from your responsibilities for a while.

VIRGO (August 23-September 22)*****Is there too much happening around you right now? Or not enough? You’ll be vacillating between bored-out-of-your-skull and utterly-over-stimulated today, which could drive the people you’re hanging out with a bit nuts.

LIBRA (September 23-October 22)**Today, an influx of crystal-clarity will free you up to help tackle someone else’s problems for a while! People will be looking to you for answers to their problems, and you should be as honest as you can when you give them.

SCORPIO (October 23-November 21)**Working with other people might feel like a huge challenge for you today. Your mood is not going to match anyone else’s, and a personality conflict could erupt with at least one person. Is it up to you to change to make them feel more at ease? Not this time!

SAGITTARIUS (November 22-December 21)***Your luck is about to change today -- which is very good news if you have been striking out left and right. And conversely, it’s not such good news if life has been sweet and easy lately. There is always going to be change in your life, and you have to get used to it.

CAPRICORN (December 22-January 19)***Be mindful of all your property today -- especially the resources that you need for your job or at school. You don’t have to turn into a miser, but you should make sure you don’t let anyone walk away with something that belongs to you!

AQUARIUS (January 20-February 18)*****Getting too caught up in getting your own way is going to lead you down a very lonely path, so beware. Today, if you don’t compromise, you will only be hurting yourself. Give until it hurts. Show someone else that you respect them.

PISCES (February 19-March 20)*****Today, you’ll get a great chance to learn more about a culture you’ve always been curious about. Feed your curiosity until you’re satisfied. But try not to overdo it! Fortunes are turning, and you might get an opportunity to travel.

TODAY’SHOROSCOPE

HeroQFX Civil Mall: 8:45 AM/12:00 PM/3:15 PM/6:30 PM

QFX Jai Nepal: 11:45 AM/6:15 PMQFX Kumari: 4:00 PM/7:15 PM

Welcome BackQFX Kumari: 12:30 PM

QFX Civil Mall: 2:30 PM/7:00 PMQFX Jai Nepal: 3:00 PM

Hitman: agent 47QFX Civil Mall: 11:30 AM/6:00 PM

QFX Kumari: 3:30 PM

luv-SaBQFX Civil Mall: 11:45 AM/4:15 PM

QFX Kumari: 6:30 PM

tHe man from u.n.c.l.e.QFX Kumari: 12:15 PM

QFX Civil Mall: 2:00 PM

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revolution cafe, AmritMarg, Thamel, away from busy crowed street, offers great music, fast wi-fi and wide menu with rea-sonable prices. Operation hours: 7 am to 10 pm, contact: 4433630

Artudio, chhauni Hospital road, swyambhu, organise Spring Art Camp for School Children for 10 days from April 7 - 16, 2015. Opening Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM, Contact : 9851180088.

Escape, relax and get in shape @ Hyatt regency. Embark on a personal well-being at Club Oasis. Remember us for Tennis, sauna, Jacuzzi, swimming, fitness centre and Beauty Salon. Contact: 4491234

Learn cardio, gym, aerobics, zumba, spa, boxing, kick-boxing, b-boying, bollywood dance at oyster spa and Fitness club, Sinamangal. Time: Sunday to Friday from 5 am to 8 pm. Contact: 4110554

Jasmine Fitness club and spa, Fully equipped gym and spa; Zumba, aerobics and cardio classes; therapeutic massage; beau-ty parlour and men’s salon. Tripureshwor; Contact: 4117120

women skill development resource centre: Join free training for Straw Art, Sewing and Skill Development (for 2 hours, 4 hours and 7days), Suryabinayak, contact 9849426628

Yoga detox and Ayurveda treatments and retreats every day at Himalayan Peace & Wellness Centre, Park Village Hotel. Get 10% discount on all Ayurvedic treatments. Contact: 980106661

Krishnarpan—a specialty Nepali Restaurant at dwarika’s, 6 courses to 22 courses Nepali meal served. Opening Time: 6 pm-11 pm. Prior reservations required, contact: 4479448

The Italian restaurant serves authentic Italian cuisines in an elegant ambi-ence for both lunch and dinner. Timings: Lunch: 1230-1445 hrs, dinner: 1900-2245 hrs, contact: 427399, at soaltee crowne Plaza

Savour the cardamom and saffron spice, slow-cooked kebabs and kormas at Indian restaurant serving Awadhi cuisine. contact: 427399, at Soaltee Crowne Plaza

china Garden offers delectable dishes from across Asia, including Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese and Chinese. Timings: Lunch: 1230-1445 hrs, dinner: 1900-2245 hrs, contact: 427399 at soaltee crowne Plaza

Garden Terrace offers an authentic world cuisine, providing diners with the unique experience of observing their selected dish-es being prepared by chefs. contact: 427399 at soaltee crowne Plaza

Kaiser cafe restaurant & Bar at The Garden of dreams, opening time: 9 am till 9 pm, offers an international cafe menu serv-ing breakfast, lunch, dinner, specialty tea’s, coffees and pastries, contact: 4425341

Embers Bar, Pulchowk, in all its sophistica-tion and glory is happy to announce Happy Hours every 6-7pm. It will be hosting a Barbeque night every Friday from 6:30-9:30pm

Mako’s offers traditional Japanese food served. Don’t miss out on Mako’s special Tempuras, and green tea ice cream, Time: 11: 30-14:30 & 19:00-22:00, contact: 4479448

Manny’s Eatery and bar introduces a spe-cial lunch package that is affordable, tasty, nutritious and quick enough to fit your lunch break, Jawalakhel, shaligram complex, 5536919

The Toran, an ideal location for all day lounging and informal dining offers mul-ti-cuisines. Contact: dwarika’s Hotel, 4479488

weekends brunch @ Hyatt regency—treat yourself with a lavish buffet lunch, splash by the swimming pool or laze around outdoor, Jacuzzi, all for just Rs 2300 plus taxes per person. Contact: 4491234

special saturday Brunch at The Café & Garden, The Everest Hotel 1200-1600 hrs; Ph 4780100

We serve nothing but the finest Arabica coffees at great value prices at Barista Lavazza coffee restaurant, Lazimpat, contact: 4005123/4005124

Bourbon room, Lal Durbar Marg is open for

lunch from 12 noon. Enjoy affordable and delicious meals starting from Rs 99! We are currently offering Indian & chinese combos along with momos. call: 4441703

Trout it’s all about! at the olive Garden, radisson Hotel Kathmandu. Open for din-ner from May 9 onwards from 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm. Price: Rs 1500 plus taxes per person. Contact 4411818, Ext 1301

Latin—Gypsy Jazz at The corner Bar, Radisson Hotel, Kathmandu with Hari Maharjan feat Monsif Mzibiri, 7 pm onwards, Wednesdays & Fridays. contact: 4411818

sandwich and crepes: Taste the sandwich-es and crepes at The Lounge from 11 am to 6 pm everyday. For further details call Hyatt Regency at 4491234.

rosemary Kitchen and coffee shop, Thamel, opening hours: 7:00 am to 10:00 pm offers an International cuisine in reason-able prices. Contact 01-4267554

out-of-Africa Lunch amid rural splendor: Sat & Sun from 1130 to 1630 hours at The Watering Hole, Indrawati River Valley. For prior reservation contact: indrawatire-sort@gmail.com

Tibetan Gyakok for Lunch & Dinner every day at The Mandarin, The Everest Hotel ph: 4780100 ext: 7811

Make your weekend more exciting with family and friends with sumptuous Satey, Dimsums, Mangolian Barbecue and Pasta at The Cafe from 12:30 noon to 4:00 pm. Call: Hyatt Regency, at 4491234

The most delightfully awesome chicken momos & yummy rich chocolate cake on this part of the planet @ Just Baked Bakery & cafe, Battisputali, offering much more spe-cialties at affordable price.

daily Buffet with a complimentary glass of house wine at The café, The Everest Hotel, Lunch: 12 to 3 pm and dinner: 6:30 to 10:30 pm. Ph: 4780100

Enjoy snacks and drinks from 4:00 pm to 11:00 pm every day and nightly live music from “The corner Band” except Tuesday and Saturday from 7 pm to 11:00 pm at corner Bar, radisson Hotel. contact: 4411818

Every Friday BBQ from 7:00 pm at Fusion Bar & Pool side at Dwarika’s Hotel with live band “Dinesh Rai and Sound of Mind”. Price Rs 1600/ includes BBQ dinner and a can of beer or a soft drink. Contact: 4479448

Hotel Narayani complex, Pulchowk, Lalitpur presents Shabnam & Cannabiz Band every Wednesday and Rashmi & Kitcha Band every Friday, 7:30 PM onwards @ Absolute bar P Ltd; contact: 5521408

starry Night BBQ—every Friday Evening from 7:00 pm at shambala Garden café, Hotel, shangri~La only @ rs 1799 net per person and live performance by ciney Gurung. contact: 4412999

Enjoy live dJ nights, on every Sunday chill out/ ambient, Wednesday tech/ funk house & Friday psy/ proggy/ full on from 6:00 pm to 10 pm at garden and 7:00 pm onwards at club at Funky Buddha resturant & Bar, contact: 4700091

Set within the historic Garden of Dreams, the Kaiser cafe restaurant and Bar, Thamel, offers a continental menu and serves as an atmospheric venue for anything from a quiet coffee or intimate meal. contact: 442534

Trisara offers food and drinks along with good music and great times. Sunday- Live Music by Barbeque Night, Monday, Wednesday-by Positive vibes, Tuesday, Saturday-By Jyovan Bhuju, Friday-Live Music by Dexterous

Experience The Last resort, the perfect place for family fun adventure and relaxation. Special packages for residents. contact: 4700525/ 4701247 or mail us at info@thelastresort.com.np

Asia world Travel Pvt Ltd presents fascinat-ing luxury escapades to amazing destinations: Prague, Ladakh, Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Mount Kailash and Panchpokhari in North East Nepal. contact: 6222604

Much needed getaway—1 night/2 day package @ Hyatt Regency. Enjoy luxury stay of a five star hotel for a couple with breakfast and access to spa facilities for just Rs 9999 plus taxes per person only. Contact: 4491234

Jungle safari Lodge, sauraha chitwan offers 2 Nights 3 Days package only for Rs 6500 per person. Suman 9851008399

Monsoon Madness, 2 Nights/3 Days Package @ Shangri~La Village Resort, Pokhara, only @ Rs 5555 per person where you get back coupons worth Rs 2999. Tel: 4412999, 061-462222.

sportskathmandu postthe

Sunday, September 13, 2015pG 11 kathmandupost.ekantipur.com

Argentine star Lionel Messi becomes father againArgentine football star Lionel Messi has added two-time dad to his long list of honors, after his girlfriend gave birth to a son, relatives announced. Mateo Messi was born Friday in Barcelona, the athlete’s brother wrote on Twitter. “Mateo has just been born, he is beautiful,” Matias Messi wrote. “We’re savoring this moment of happiness.” Messi, 28, and longtime companion Antonella Roccuzzo are already parents to a toddler son, Thiago, who turns three later this year. Considered among his sport’s most prodigious talents, Messi last month was voted Uefa’s best player in Europe for 2014-2015.

C M Y K

Federer, Djokovic set mouthwatering clash Agence FrAnce-Presse New York, Sept 12

Roger Federer reached his first US Open final in six years on Friday, where he will face world No. 1 Novak Djokovic in the 42nd round of their heavyweight rivalry.

Five-time champion Federer, 34, bidding to become the oldest New York champion since 1970, swept past Swiss compatriot Stan Wawrinka 6-4, 6-3, 6-1. Djokovic, the 2011 champion, booked a place in the final for the sixth time with a record 6-0, 6-1, 6-2 rout of defending champion Marin Cilic in the most one-sided US Open semi-final of the mod-ern era.

Sunday’s clash will be a rematch of July’s Wimbledon final, where Djokovic tri-umphed to claim his ninth career Grand Slam crown. Federer, the holder of 17 majors but without a Grand Slam title since Wimbledon in 2012, will take a 21-20 career edge over Djokovic into the championship match, having won their last duel in Cincinnati in August.

The Swiss legend was impe-rious against Wawrinka and his victory means he has not dropped a set since the Wimbledon final, a perfect stretch of 28 sets, as he reached a seventh US Open final. “I’m very happy. It’s been a great tournament so far, I have tried very hard in the last six years to get back to the final and tonight it worked,” Federer said after his 92-minute win sealed by a 10th ace. I am playing at a good level, possibly my best. I am serving very well, going for my shots. I’d love for it to keep working for one more match.”

Federer is the oldest finalist in a Slam since 35-year-old Andre Agassi at the 2005 US Open, which the Swiss star won. On Sunday, he will face Djokovic for the sixth time this year -- all have been in finals. Federer was defeated by Wawrinka in their last clash in the French Open quarter-finals in June, when his compatriot went on to the title. It was just one of three

losses against 16 wins with all three setbacks coming on clay.

Djokovic’s rout of Cilic was the most lopsided semi-final of the Open Era at the tourna-ment, beating Lleyton Hewitt’s 6-1, 6-2, 6-1 defeat of Yevgeny Kafelnikov in 2001. Djokovic has now reached the finals of all four majors this year, winning the Australian Open and Wimbledon titles and finishing runner-up to Wawrinka in Paris. Sunday’s final will be his 16th in the last 21 Grand Slams and 18th over-all, tying the record of Pete Sampras.

England making most of good run: MorganAgence FrAnce-Presse LeedS, Sept 12

Captain Eoin Morgan believes England are showing new-found qualities in their ability to successfully chase down targets after beating Australia by three wickets at Headingley on Friday to set up a one-day series decider.

England overcame the World Cup winners for the second time in four days, reaching their target of 300 with 10 balls to spare to tie the series 2-2 ahead of Sunday’s finale at Old Trafford, Manchester. It was only the fourth time England have suc-cessfully chased a score of 300 or more to win a one-day international and beats the previous highest total they had made batting second to beat Australia, eclipsing the 270-4 they reached in winning at Lord’s in 1997.

The victory follows the record 350-3 England posted in beating New Zealand by seven wickets at Trent Bridge in June when Morgan scored a century. And the captain again led by example with 92 off 92 balls to record his third successive half-century. Morgan said: “I firmly believe things work in cycles and

when it’s going your way you have to cash in and I am mak-ing the most of a run of good form. There are only so many words you can say and ways to inspire people.”

“The best way is to lead from the front and today I managed to do that, which is great. But the thing from the chase today is that everybody contributed, from top to bot-tom, right down to Moeen Ali and David Willey finishing it off, which is brilliant. The group of players we have and the attitude they show is out-standing. I have never had that sort of feeling within a

side in a chase. I am very opti-mistic about things. That’s not experience, because we are a young side, but taking it on, the attitude is brilliant.”

Morgan shared stands of 91 with Ben Stokes and 58 with Jonny Bairstow. Morgan is now looking to win at Old Trafford to follow up England’s Ashes win over Australia.

The skipper added: “Going into Sunday the guys are full of confidence and really look-ing forward to it. We have had a little bit of success so far this summer and hopefully that continues.”

Lee snAtches LeAd in KoreAAgence FrAnce-PresseCheoNaN, Sept 12

South Korean Lee Kyung-Hoon on Saturday took the lead from second-day top scor-ers Song Young-Han and Australian Steve Jeffress, after the third round of OneAsia’s Kolon Korea Open.

Lee birdied the par-five 18th at Woo Jeung Hills Country Club, and also the 17th, to surge ahead while Song, who was playing in the group behind and had been in con-trol all day, scored a triple bogey on the last hole.

Lee, second in the Fujisankei Classic last week-end, shot a 68 to lead the OneAsia event on eight under. Song was nine under stepping onto the 18th tee box but drove out of bounds for a 72 to fall back into a tie for second on six under with countrymen Hur In-Hoi and Lee Dong-Min.

Jeffress carded a 73 to slip back in a tie for fifth on five under. “I played well and fin-ished strongly so I guess I have been rewarded for that. It will be a big day tomorrow and will be close,” Lee said, referring to Sunday’s fourth and final round.

Lee has emerged victorious once before as a professional golfer in the 2012 Sega Sammy Cup in Japan, while Song, also 24, is seeking his first win as a professional.

n The giants enter 42nd round of their rivalry n Vinci shocks Serena

Federer-Djokovic Grand Slam Head-to-HeadYear Tournament Round Winner2007 Australian Open Round of 16 Roger Federer 6-2, 7-5, 6-32007 US Open Final Roger Federer 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/2), 6-42008 Australian Open Semi-finals Novak Djokovic 7-5, 6-3, 7-6 (7/5)2008 US Open Semi-finals Roger Federer 6-3, 5-7, 7-5, 6-22009 US Open Semi-finals Roger Federer 7-6 (7/3), 7-5, 7-52010 US Open Semi-finals Novak Djokovic 5-7, 6-1, 5-7, 6-2, 7-52011 Australian Open Semi-finals Novak Djokovic 7-6 (7/3), 7-5, 6-42011 French Open Semi-finals Roger Federer 7-6 (7/5), 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (7/5)2011 US Open Semi-finals Novak Djokovic 6-7 (7/9), 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 7-52012 French Open Semi-finals Novak Djokovic 6-4, 7-5, 6-32012 Wimbledon Semi-finals Roger Federer 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 6-32014 Wimbledon Final Novak Djokovic 6-7 (7/9), 6-4, 7-6 (7/4), 5-7, 6-42015 Wimbledon Final Novak Djokovic 7-6 (7/1), 6-7 (10/12), 6-4, 6-3

NEW YORK: Serena Williams saw her dream of a calen-dar year Grand Slam title sweep shattered in stun-ning fashion on Friday as Italy’s Roberta Vinci shocked the world No. 1 to reach the US Open final. Vinci battled back for an epic upset of the three-time defending champion 2-6, 6-4, 6-4, ending Williams’ 33-match Grand Slam win streak. Vinci will face 26th-seeded compatriot Flavia Pennetta in the first all-Italian Grand Slam women’s final in Open Era.

It was a shocking end to Williams’ run at not only a sweep of the year’s four major titles, a feat that hasn’t been done since Steffi Graf ’s 1988 effort, but her bid for a 22nd Grand Slam title to match Graf ’s Open Era career record and a take a fifth Slam crown in a row. Vinci was overjoyed by her shock win. “It’s an incredible moment for me. It’s like a dream. I’m in the final. I beat Serena. It’s an amazing moment. It’s I think the best moment of my life.” (AFP)

serena’s calendar slam bid ends

Semi-final resultsMen’s SinglesNovak Djokovic (SRB x1) bt Marin Cilic (CRO x9) 6-0, 6-1, 6-2Roger Federer (SUI x2) bt Stan Wawrinka (SUI x5) 6-4, 6-3, 6-1

n n nWomen’s singlesRoberta Vinci (ITA) bt Serena Williams (USA x1) 2-6, 6-4, 6-4Flavia Pennetta (ITA x26) bt Simona Halep (ROM x2) 6-1, 6-3

n Roger Federer of Switzerland returns to his compatriot Stan Wawrinka during their US Open semi-final match at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre in New York on Friday. AFP/rss

n England’s Eoin Morgan dives to make his ground during their fourth ODI against Australia in Leeds on Friday. AFP/rss

Published and Printed by Kantipur Publications Pvt. Ltd. Kantipur Complex, Subidhanagar, Kathmandu, Nepal, Phone: 5135000, Fax: 977-1-5135057, e-mail: kpost@kantipur.com.np, Regd. No. 32/048/049, Chairman & Managing Director : Kailash Sirohiya, Director : Swastika Sirohiya, Editor-in-Chief : Akhilesh Upadhyay

thekathmandu postsports 12Sunday, September 13, 2015

sports digest

(C.R.P.D.) - 3/052/053

Agence FrAnce-PresseBRUSSELS, SEPt 12

Justin Gatlin has warned that he will be “hungry” when the Rio Olympics roll around in 2016 after bringing to an end a “successful yet bittersweet” year in which he won double world sprint silvers.

Gatlin, in the absence of Jamaican star Usain Bolt, won the 100m in 9.98sec at Friday’s season-ending Diamond League meet in Brussels, but sustained a thigh strain that saw him withdraw from the 200m as a precau-tion. The controversial American, who has served two doping bans, said his experience at last month’s world cham-pionships in Beijing had been “bitter-sweet”, as Bolt beat him into silver in both the 100 and 200m. “I regard it as a successful season,” the 33-year-old said of 2015, when he set the fastest 100m of the year back, 9.74sec, in Doha in May.

“I’ve been leading from the start of the season so for me to come out here and do something is successful within itself. To be able to come away from a world championships and win medals where there were some athletes who are great athletes who didn’t even get to the finals or make the podium in

Beijing, so to come away with two sil-vers, I’m happy with that. Obviously I want more so that’s going to make me hungry in 2016.”

Looking back at his Beijing experi-ence, Gatlin said: “It’s bittersweet.

Obviously I wanted to go out there and win and run a very fast time. “In track and field, sometimes you run fast and sometimes you surprise yourself and the audience when you do run fast, that’s for any track athlete. To be able to come away with two silver medals is still very, very good.”

Gatlin, who will be 34 when the Rio Games come around, said the build-up to the Olympics would be different to his normal season when he likes to start running very early. “This coming year I have to run the 100 and 200m, three rounds at the US national trials,” he said. “Next year’s going to be a dif-ferent look so I think a lot of people are not going to see me as early, but when I do show up I’m going to show up.”

Gatlin said that he would again be seeking “consistency”, as he had done this season. “The goal is bettering myself from last year,” he explained. “In 2014 I was running a lot of 9.8sec, this year I ran a lot of 9.7s, I just pushed the envelope a little more, in China, to better myself. It wasn’t a per-fect season when it came to the last 30 metres of my race even with the faster times, and those are things I can work on in 2016 and hopefully get some fast-er times.”

Gatlin ‘hungry’ for more after ‘bittersweet’ Beijing worlds

at h l e t i cs

champs honoured

n The Saff Championship title winning Nepali U-19 football team and officials during the felicitation programme organised by Khicha Pokhari Youth Club and Khicha Pokhari Business Association in Kathmandu on Saturday. post photo: Kaushal adhiKari

AVM claim five out of six goldKATHMANDU: Adarsha Vidhya Mandir (AVM) on Saturday dominated the fourth Nationwide School-Level Open Table Tennis Tournament win-ning five out of six gold medals. Prabhat English HS School won the only remaining gold. Ritiz Joshi of AVM won the U-16 boys’ singles gold defeating schoolmate Aashish Sharma 11-2, 11-7, 11-4. Dikshya Tamang of AVM won the girls’ U-16 gold with an 8-11, 11-4, 11-9, 11-3 victo-ry over her schoolmate Lasata Maharjan. The top two took Rs 10,000 and Rs 5,000 respectively. AVM also won two gold in team events. (PR)

Nepal in Para Taekwondo C’ship KATHMADNU: Nepali para taekwondo team is on Sunday leaving for Turkey to participate in the sixth WTF World Para Taekwondo Championship slated or September 27. Anit Thapa and Chinta Bahadur Kunwar will compete in the men’s 43kg, while Sita Bhandari will try her luck in the women’s 44kg weight category. Rabi Thapa is the team man-ager and Kalyan Kuwnar is the coach. (PR)

Golden Gate claim U-18 title LALITPUR: Golden Gate International College claimed the Ncell U-18 Inter-college Basketball Tournament title with a 54-49 victory over Liverpool International College on Saturday. Khukhen Lama rolled in 18 points for the winners. Lama was also adjudged the MVP of the tourna-ment. Morgan International College defeated Prime College 49-31 to win the third place playoff. Denju Gurung scored 15 points for Morgan. The top three finishers earned Rs 100,000, Rs 75,000 and Rs 50,000 respectively. Aashish Basnet (109 points) of Liverpool was the highest scorer. (PR)

French Fekir set for surgeryLYON: France interna-tional striker Nabil Fekir will undergo knee surgery on Monday after picking up the seri-ous injury playing against Portugal last week, his Ligue 1 club Lyon confirmed. The operation will be carried out by Dr. Bertrand Sonnery-Cottet in the private Jean-Mermoz Hospital in Lyon in south-east France. Fekir, 22, lasted just 13 minutes of his first international start in a 1-0 friendly victory against Portugal in Lisbon before suc-cumbing to what was later confirmed as a ruptured anterior cruci-ate ligament in his right knee. (AFP)

Naismith sinks ChelseaAgence FrAnce-Presse LoNDoN, SEPt 12

Jose Mourinho refused to con-demn his Chelsea flops after their Premier League title defence was plunged into tur-moil as Steven Naismith’s hat-trick gave Everton a 3-1 win on Saturday.

Mourinho’s side made a miserable start at Goodison Park as Scotland forward Naismith came off the bench to score twice in the space of five minutes mid-way through the first half. Nemanja Matic pulled one back for Chelsea before the interval, but Naismith completed his treble in the closing stages to condemn the Blues — with three defeats and only four points from their five matches — to their worst start to a season since 1988.

It left Chelsea 11 points below leaders Manchester City, who snatched a late 1-0 win at Crystal Palace, but Mourinho claimed he had no complaints about his team’s performance and blamed bad luck for their recent woes.

“I am a champion, the play-ers are the champions, the way they are playing is not as bad as the results, but in every single game things are going against us,” Mourinho said.

“We have to cope with it. Football is about results. It’s easy to say and I agree com-pletely, but results are too bad. I don’t blame my players and I don’t blame myself. I don’t accept the results.”

Mourinho knows he will find himself under mounting pressure if Chelsea’s form does not improve quickly, but the Portuguese coach is confi-dent he can bounce back from the “worst results” of his glit-tering career.

“I am responsible for the team. I am not happy with the situation and I am not happy with myself,” he said. “I am not feeling any pressure. The results are the worst results

ever in my career. I am not happy, but I am coping well with the situation.”

Mourinho’s mood will have worsened after early-season pace-setters City won 1-0 at Palace courtesy of a last-min-ute goal by substitute Kelechi Iheanacho.

City had earlier lost Sergio Aguero through injury, but prevailed when 18-year-old Nigerian striker Iheanacho

poked in the rebound from a Samir Nasri shot to preserve the visitors’ 100 percent record.

Aguero was forced off in the 24th minute after a heavy challenge by Scott Dann, which saw Kevin De Bruyne come on for his City debut following his £54 million ($83.3 million, 73.5 million euros)

switch from Wolfsburg.The result left Alan

Pardew’s Palace third, six points below City and a point behind Arsenal, who won 2-0 at home to Stoke City. After Alexis Sanchez had twice hit the post, Theo Walcott put Arsenal ahead from Mesut Ozil’s pass in the 31st minute and Olivier Giroud sealed vic-

tory with a header five min-utes from time.

Elsewhere in another game, Swansea City saw their unbeaten start to the season ended in a 1-0 defeat at pro-moted Watford.Odion Ighalo put Watford ahead from Troy Deeney’s knock-down shortly before the hour and the hosts held on for victory despite the dismissal of Valon Behrami for an ugly foul on

Andre Ayew. Norwich City beat fellow

promoted side Bournemouth 3-1 to claim their first home win of the campaign. Cameron Jerome, Wes Hoolahan and debutant Matt Jarvis found the net for Alex Neil’s side, with Steve Cook replying for Bournemouth. The day’s other game saw Southampton draw 0-0 at West Bromwich Albion.

n The Scottish forward scores hattrick in 3-1 victory over Blues n Ineachao rescues City

n Everton’s Scottish striker Steven Naismith shoots to score against Cheslea during their English Premier League match at the Goodison Park in Liverpool on Saturday. aFp/rss

EPL STANdiNGSTeams P W D L GF GA PTSMan City 5 5 0 0 11 0 15Arsenal 5 3 1 1 5 3 10Crystal Palace 5 3 0 2 8 6 9Everton 5 2 2 1 8 5 8Leicester 4 2 2 0 8 5 8Swansea 5 2 2 1 7 5 8Man Utd 4 2 1 1 3 2 7Norwich 5 2 1 2 8 9 7Liverpool 4 2 1 1 2 3 7West Ham 4 2 0 2 9 6 6Southampton 5 1 3 1 5 5 6Watford 5 1 3 1 3 4 6West Brom 5 1 2 2 3 6 5Aston Villa 4 1 1 2 4 5 4Bournemouth 5 1 1 3 6 9 4Chelsea 5 1 1 3 7 12 4Tottenham 4 0 3 1 3 4 3Newcastle 4 0 2 2 2 5 2Sunderland 4 0 2 2 6 10 2Stoke 5 0 2 3 3 7 2

ResultsEverton 3-1 ChelseaArsenal 2-0 StokeCrystal Palace 0-1 Man CityNorwich 3-1 BournemouthWatford 1-0 Swansea CityWest Brom 0-0 Southampton

english premier league

ueFa announces expanded drug testingAgence FrAnce-PressePARiS, SEPt 12

Uefa will increase drug test-ing measures ahead of Euro 2016 in France, European foot-ball’s governing body said on Friday.

“In advance of the Uefa Euro 2016 tournament, Uefa will conduct the largest pre-tournament testing pro-gramme ever implemented. All players with the potential to be selected for participating teams will be subjected to test-ing from 1 January 2016 via Uefa’s annual programme,” Uefa said in a statement. “Teams will also be tested at squad meet-ups in advance of the tournament, and follow-ing their arrival in France.”

Uefa will introduce a bio-logical passport similar to those used in cycling and ath-letics. “Uefa will kick off the 2015/16 season with the strongest anti-doping pro-gramme ever seen in European football,” said the statement.

“This includes the intro-duction of the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (Wada) ste-roidal biological passport to improve the identification of steroid use; a strengthening of rules related to team and player whereabouts; long-term sample storage to permit the retrospective identifica-tion of prohibited substances; and a continuation of its com-prehensive blood and urine in- and out-of-competition testing programme.”

Michel D’Hooghe, chair-man of Uefa’s medical com-mittee, said that while doping was not rife in football, authorities could not rest on their laurels. “Recent events in other sports have highlight-ed the importance of remain-ing ever vigilant and pushing for progress in all areas of our work,” said D’Hooghe. “Although our doping statis-tics remain low amongst play-ers in Uefa competitions, there can never be room for complacency.”

euro 2016

Bayern edge Ausburg 2-1reutersBERLiN, SEPt 12

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored two penalties as for-mer champions Borussia Dortmund battled their way to a 4-2 victory over Hanover 96 on Saturday to stay top of the Bundesliga on goal difference ahead of reigning champions Bayern Munich, who needed a controversial late penalty to beat Augsburg 2-1.

Gabon international Aubameyang took his season tally to five goals after Artur Sobiech had also struck twice for hosts Hanover to make sure that there was enough life left in the game. A 67th-minute own goal from Felipe put the visitors up 3-2.

Aubameyang coolly con-verted his second spot kick in the 85th to make it four, giving Dortmund their fourth suc-cessive win in the Bundesliga.

They maintain their 100 per-cent record this season, as do Bayern Munich, although they had to battle hard in the game, both on 12 points.

Bayern lacked sharpness ahead of their Champions League group stage debut at Olympiakos next week and, despite dominating, they failed to make it count until Douglas Costa stumbled into an Augsburg defender and was awarded an 87th-minute penalty with the visitors furi-ous over the decision by refer-ee Knut Kircher.

Thomas Mueller kept his cool and scored from the spot to provide a collective sigh of relief that prompted his trade-mark celebration. Courageous Augsburg had silenced the 75,000 crowd when Alexander Esswein rifled in two minutes before the break before Robert Lewandowski levelled in the 77th.

Ronaldo powers Madrid rout over EspanyolAgence FrAnce-PresseMADRiD, SEPt 12

Cristiano Ronaldo opened his account for the season in spec-tacular fashion with five goals as Real Madrid thrashed Espanyol 6-0 on Saturday.

The Portuguese dispelled any doubts over his form by slotting home the opener from Luka Modric’s wonderful pass before doubling his tally from the penalty spot after Gareth Bale was felled inside area.

Bale crossed for Ronaldo to complete his 32nd hat-trick for Madrid before the World Player of the Year turned pro-vider himself for Karim Benzema to tap home a fourth before half-time. Ronaldo then rounded off the scoring with two more smart finishes after the break. Victory moves Madrid to the top of the table, one point ahead of Atletico Madrid and Barcelona.

The result was never in doubt once the visitors took the lead seven minutes in, though, as Ronaldo controlled Modric’s brilliant through ball before placing the ball inside the far post. He then converted the penalty confi-dently and was the benefi-ciary of another Bale assist moments later.

Another surging run from

Bale helped set up the fourth as he fed Ronaldo and the for-mer Manchester United man squared for Benzema to apply a simple finish.

Benzema could have even added a fifth before half-time as his driven effort was bril-liantly tipped onto the post by Espanyol ‘keeper Pau Lopez.

Bale was the creator once more when the fifth did arrive just after the hour mark as he unselfishly teed up Ronaldo to roll home his fourth of the afternoon. And Ronaldo matched his own personal record of five goals in a game when Madrid smashed Granada 9-1 last season.

Kohli, sachin in twitter banterIndo-AsIAn news servIceDUBAi, SEPt 12

India Test skipper Virat Kohli on Friday messaged batting legend Sachin Tendulkar on Twitter after the latter said that he wanted to “play” for Kohli’s co-owned franchise The UAE Royals in the second International Premier Tennis League (IPTL).

Kohli co-owns the Dubai-based franchise and World No.2 tennis icon Roger Federer on Thursday agreed to play for the team in the sec-ond edition of the tourna-ment. Tendulkar, who is a big fan of the Swiss, wanted to share a laugh and so tweeted: “Hey @imVkohli, I want to play!” The witty Indian cap-tain shot back after sometime with a hilarious reply stating: ”Not sure you have what it takes @sachin_rt paaji!”

After Federer’s deal was sealed Kohli had said: “I am a huge fan of Federer and with him joining the UAE Royals, my decision to be on board with the team was firm. The UAE Royals feature some of tennis’ greatest players.”

Federer was part of the India Aces franchise in the first edition last year. The 34-year-old will be joined by the likes of 2001 Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic, 2008 French Open women’s singles winner and No.7 Ana Ivanovic, doubles veteran Daniel Nestor in the team.

n Justin Gatlin celebrates after winning the 100m of the diamond League Meeting in Brussels Friday. aFp/rss

n Mueller

n Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo shoots to score against Espanyol during their Spanish La Liga match at the Power8 Stadium in Cornella de Llobregat on Saturday. aFp/rss