Tag: Nepal

The Hindu Morning Digest, March 11, 2024

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State Bank of India (SBI) has moved the Supreme Court seeking an extension of time till June 30 to submit details of Electoral Bonds to the Election Commission of India. File.
| Photo Credit: ANI

Government likely to appoint new Election Commissioners by March 15

The two vacancies in the Election Commission (EC), created by the surprise resignation of Arun Goel and the retirement of Anup Chandra Pandey, are likely to be filled by March 15, sources indicated. A high-level selection committee, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and comprising a Union Minister and Leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, is likely to meet on March 14. Keen to fill up the vacancies at the earliest, sources told The Hindu that the Opposition leader has been sounded out about a change of date to advance the meeting date by a day or two.

Electoral bonds: SC to hear SBI’s plea seeking extension to disclose details on March 11

The Supreme Court will on March 11 hear the application filed by the State Bank of India (SBI) seeking extension till June 30 to disclose details of each electoral bond encashed by political parties before the scheme was scrapped last month. In a landmark verdict delivered on February 15, a five-judge constitution Bench scrapped the Centre’s electoral bonds scheme that allowed anonymous political funding, calling it “unconstitutional” and ordered disclosure by the Election Commission of the donors, the amount donated by them, and the recipients by March 13.

In re-constituted National Commission for Scheduled Castes, govt. ensures a place for Madiga member

With the Lok Sabha election around the corner, the Union government has chosen to constitute the most-recent National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) by ensuring the presence of at least one member from the Madiga community, one of the most populous Scheduled Caste communities in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. The Madiga community has argued that despite being among the most populous of the SCs, they are routinely crowded out of benefits and reservation by the relatively dominant Mala community. 

Uttar Pradesh Congress passes resolution for candidature from Gandhi family

The Uttar Pradesh unit of the Congress unanimously passed a resolution for the candidature from the Gandhi family in Amethi and Raebareli seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The Congress Pradesh Election Committee (PEC) refrained from officially naming the candidates from the family but sources confirmed the push is for Rahul Gandhi to contest from Amethi and Priyanka Gandhi-Vadra from Raebareli.

Cheetah Gamini gives birth to five cubs at MP’s Kuno National Park; big cat count rises to 26

Cheetah ‘Gamini’ on Sunday gave birth to five cubs in Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh’s Sheopur district, taking the total number of the big cats in the country to 26, Union Minister Bhupender Yadav said. This is the fourth cheetah litter on Indian soil and the first litter of cheetahs brought from South Africa, Mr. Yadav informed. In March last year, cheetah Jwala (Namibian name Siyaya) had given birth to four cubs but only one managed to survive. Jwala gave birth to her second litter of four cubs in January this year., which was followed by cheetah Aasha delivering three cubs.

Haryana BJP MP Brijendra Singh resigns from party, joins Congress

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s Hisar Lok Sabha member Brijendra Singh quit the party due to “compelling political reasons” and joined the Congress within a few hours. He later also resigned as the Lok Sabha member. Formally joining the Congress in the presence of party’s national president Mallikarjun Kharge, Mr. Singh said that he took the decision to quit the BJP as he was “uncomfortable” and “not in agreement” over a few issues, including the farmers movement, the Agniveer scheme and the wrestlers protest.

Worst fears about presence of drugs in Tamil Nadu confirmed, says Governor R.N. Ravi

Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi, said the recent interdictions of sizeable quantities of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances and apprehension of members of international drug cartels in Tamil Nadu and other places by the central agencies had “confirmed the worst fears about prevalence of drugs in the State.

Congress president Kharge says alliance with Trinamool can happen anytime before withdrawal of nominations

Hours after the Trinamool Congress announced its candidates for all the 42 Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal, the Congress said an alliance with Trinamool is possible until withdrawal of nominations. The party also asserted that any agreement has to be finalised through negotiations and not unilateral announcements. “Our doors are always open and an alliance can happen anytime before withdrawal,” Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said.

Muslims spot Ramadan crescent moon in Saudi Arabia, month of fasting starts Monday for many

Officials saw the crescent moon on Sunday night in Saudi Arabia, home to the holiest sites in Islam, marking the start of the holy fasting month of Ramadan for many of the world’s 1.8 billion Muslims. Saudi state television reported authorities there saw the crescent moon. However, there are some Asian countries, like Australia, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, that will begin Ramadan on Tuesday after failing to see the crescent moon.

Nepal PM ‘Prachanda’ to seek third vote of confidence by March 13: report

Nepal’s Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ is seeking to hold his third vote of confidence in Parliament by March 13, days after he forged a new alliance with the CPN-UML, a media report said. The third round of vote of confidence comes after Mr. Prachanda, a former guerilla leader, dumped the Nepali Congress and forged a new alliance with the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) – the second-biggest party – led by former premier K.P. Sharma Oli on Monday.

Portugal votes with centre-right poised to oust Socialists

Voters in Portugal go to the polls on March 10 in an early election that could see the country join a shift to the right seen across Europe after eight years of Socialist rule. Final opinion polls published on March 8 show the centre-right Democratic Alliance (AD) narrowly ahead of the Socialist Party (PS) but short of an outright majority in parliament, which could make the far-right party Chega a kingmaker for forming a governing coalition.

Satwik-Chirag win French Open doubles title

Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty continued their love affair with Paris, lifting the French Open badminton crown for the second time with a dominating straight game win over Chinese Taipei’s Lee Jhe-Huei and Yang Po-Hsuan in the men’s doubles final.The world No. 1 Indian pair had finished runners-up in the French Open in 2019 before winning the title in 2022.

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Prachanda forms new Cabinet after leaving Nepali Congress

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Two days after breaking the one-year-old alliance with the Nepali Congress, Nepal’s Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ on Wednesday formed a new Cabinet by inducting Ministers from the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist), his new main coalition partner, and two other parties.

In a sudden move, Prachanda on Monday broke up with the Congress and joined hands with former Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli, Chairman of the CPN-UML, with the promise to give a renewed push to the “Leftist movement” in Nepal.

Prachanda, also the Chairman of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre), inducted eight Ministers from the CPN-UML, five Ministers from his own party, four from the Rastriya Swatantra Party and two from CPN (Unified Socialist) on Wednesday. 

Prachanda and Mr. Oli had a tough time on Tuesday and Wednesday as they struggled to reach a deal on sharing Ministries, just as a jilted Congress was in action to stall the new communist coalition.

With the formation of the new Cabinet with a new set of Ministers, the left alliance is back at the helm in Kathmandu, pushing Congress, the largest force in parliament, to the Opposition seat. 

Bone of contention

Lately, Prachanda had been repeatedly saying that his government had not been able to yield the desired results. Party insiders and political commentators said his remarks, however, stemmed from the notion that Congress president Sher Bahadur Deuba was continuously stalling his plan to reshuffle some Ministers. 

“The Prime Minister wanted a free hand in the functioning of the government but he was not getting that. So he was looking for an excuse to ditch the Congress,” said Mumaram Khanal, a writer and political commentator. “This is what often happens when a smaller party leads the government.”

Also, some decisions taken by the General Committee meeting of the Congress party last month had caused discomfort in the Maoist party. Some Congress dissidents had raised questions about alliance politics and had called for not forging alliances with any party in the next elections, which Mr. Deuba agreed to. But more than that, according to observers, a document criticising the Maoist “people’s war” had vexed them the most. 

Mr. Khanal, who in the past was supportive of the Maoist Centre party, said there were some financial interests of Prachanda which were not addressed by Congress Ministers. “But not just that, a host of issues led to the fall of the Maoist-Congress coalition,” added Mr. Khanal.

Prachanda found a good excuse in the impending election of the National Assembly chair. Ignoring an earlier deal with the Congress, the Maoist Centre said it would field its own candidate. The National Assembly chair election is scheduled for March 12. The post is crucial because the chair is a member of the Constitutional Council that recommends members for various constitutional bodies.  

Prachanda has a history of betraying both Mr. Deuba and Mr. Oli.

The CPN-UML and the Maoist Centre had merged in 2018 to form the Nepal Communist Party (NCP) in a bid to form a large Left force in Nepal. However, power struggle between Prachanda and Mr. Oli led to the implosion of the NCP in 2021.  

After facing a gradual electoral decline over the years, the Maoist Centre fought the 2022 general elections under an alliance with Congress. 

After the Congress party’s refusal to let him lead the government in December 2022, Prachanda swiftly sided with Mr. Oli, and was elected Prime Minister with the CPN-UML’s backing . However, in February last year, the UML pulled out of the government after the Maoist Centre decided to support the Congress candidate in the presidential poll. Congress joined Prachanda’s government. A year later, he is back with Mr. Oli again.

“This Maoist-UML alliance has been formed purely out of Prachanda’s personal interest,” said Mr. Khanal. “His one-point agenda is remaining in power, by hook or by crook. He knew his tenure was going to end as per an earlier deal, so he pulled a switcheroo, which he is very good at.”

Prachanda, a former rebel leader who led an armed struggle from 1996 to 2006, until a few weeks ago was vowing to take the Maoist-Congress alliance to the next elections. 

Commentators in Nepal even dub Prachanda the source of instability, given the way he tends to switch sides at the drop of a hat.

On Monday afternoon, while talking about the change in alliance, Prachanda said: “The country will be in turmoil until the day I die.”

The Maoist-Congress relationship had broken beyond repair, according to Minendra Rijal, a Congress leader. 

“I am not surprised as a communist coalition was bound to happen sooner rather than later,” he said. “It was known to all that Prachanda would do all he could to stall handing over power regardless of the deal that had been forged.”

According to an agreement that the Maoists and Congress signed in February last year, Prachanda was supposed to hand pver power to Mr. Deuba after two years. “Prachanda was not willing to do so. Already in his third stint as Prime Minister, Prachanda wants to continue in power as long as he can,” said Mr. Rijal. “Therefore, that he would reach out to Mr. Oli was not a matter of if but when.”   

Renewed bid for Left unity?

Hours after breaking the old alliance, Mr. Prachanda on Monday said that he would relaunch the communist unity efforts immediately.

Observers, however, say a communist unity is a far-fetched idea. 

Though both the Maoists and the CPN-UML call themselves “communists”, they are poles apart ideologically. The CPN-UML has for long been a vocal critic of the Maoists’ “people’s war.” 

Hari Sharma, a writer and political commentator, described the new development as “nothing but some interest groups coming together.”

“Nepali political parties changing partnerships frequently in the name of forging an alliance is rather a dalliance,” said Mr. Sharma. 

A communist unity in Nepal is something Beijing has always wished for, and the new developments may come to its liking. On Tuesday, during a regular press briefing in Beijing, noting the developments in Nepal , Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning said, “We would like to work with the new government to advance the China-Nepal strategic partnership of cooperation featuring ever-lasting friendship for development and prosperity”. 

New Delhi has not reacted to the suddenly evolved communist-dominated dispensation in Kathmandu.

That he was a vocal critic of India is a thing of the past and Prachanda cannot afford to ruffle Delhi’s feathers now, , say observers.

(Sanjeev Satgainya is an independent journalist based in Kathmandu)

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Eight years after the Constitution, federalism in Nepal continues to have a bumpy ride

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Koshi in the eastern region of Nepal is one of the seven provinces carved out after the country in 2015 adopted a new Constitution. The charter, which came amid strong protests by some sections of society, marked a watershed moment in Nepal’s history, as it entirely restructured the country. Nepal became a secular federal democratic republic, moving away from the constitutional monarchy and unitary form of governance.

The past few months, however, have not been smooth sailing for Koshi province. In recent months, the Supreme Court has had to intervene twice in the government formation process in Koshi, saying constitutional provisions were undermined by the parties while electing the Chief Minister. The dispute continues even today, and in the lack of a stable government, governance has taken a back seat.

Governance is what Nepal’s federalism has failed to deliver to the fullest, even though the new Constitution was said to be the panacea for all political, social and economic ills.

Koshi is just a representative case. Observers say federalism implementation as a whole continues to remain a big challenge.

Dr. Khim Lal Devkota, an expert on federalism and fiscal decentralisation, says as the country adopted federalism, the point of departure was encouraging.

“The first elections in 2017 after the Constitution gave three-tiers of government. The second set of elections in 2022 should have consolidated federalism but that does not seem to have happened,” said Dr. Devkota. “Implementation has been poor for very many reasons. It’s true that concerns have grown if the country can make an entire transition to federalism.”

The federalism debate

The debate whether Nepal needs federalism may have started, albeit in a weak form, about half a century ago, but it got a strong traction only in 2006-07. Protests in the eastern Tarai plains in Madhesh, bordering India, led by Madheshi parties forced Nepal’s major political forces to take federalism into serious consideration.

“The 2007 interim Constitution adopted federalism. But until 2015, the debate focused on boundaries of the provinces rather than on identity of the people and capacity to deliver,” says Tula Narayan Shah, a political analyst. “When the new Constitution was promulgated, restructuring of the state based on identity and capacity was ignored. The federalism dream did materialise, but not in the form it was envisioned.”

According to him, since there was a fault in the design, federalism was bound to hit a roadblock.

“As it became merely a power-sharing tool, people failed to taste the fruit of federalism — self-rule, service delivery and development,” said Mr. Shah.

After the fall of the Rana regime in 1951, Nepal saw a brief period of democracy until 1960 when King Mahendra usurped power in a royal-military coup and imposed the party-less Panchayat system — a unitary form of governance. The 1990 people’s movement restored democracy with constitutional monarchy. The Maoist war from 1996 to 2006 set the tone for abolition of the monarchy, while the 2007 Madhesh protests laid the foundation of federalism.

“In a diverse country like Nepal, moving away from the unitary system of governance and ushering in federalism should have actually meant accommodation of diversity and self-rule,” said Mr. Shah. “And since that has failed to happen, there may be federalism in Nepal, but more on paper and less in practice.”

Roadblocks

The first elections in 2017 in line with the 2015 Constitution installed governments at three layers — federal government in Kathmandu, the capital, provincial governments in seven provinces, and local governments in municipalities.

“But politicians in Kathmandu could not shed their centralised mindset. Kathmandu refused to devolve power,” said Mr. Shah. “Local-level governments were allowed to exercise some powers, but provinces were kept in check. What’s the point of having provinces when they are not even allowed to exercise authority on their own?”

Even eight years after the Constitution, the federal government has yet to formulate several umbrella laws that would facilitate the provinces to function. This has a direct impact on governance and service delivery, say analysts.

Dr. Devkota, who is also a member of the Upper House, describes failure to formulate required laws in the last eight years as tantamount to a crime committed by central level politicians on federalism.

“Unless there are laws, provinces cannot have civil servants and a police force of their own,” he said. “Nor can they mobilise budget and resources.”

Frequent government changes in provinces have been the bane of federalism. The first five years after the 2017 elections that installed governments in each province saw Nepal’s major political parties — the Nepali Congress, Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) and the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre) — play musical chairs. The stability dream after decades of political transition is still a chimera.

Bimala Rai Poudyal, a PhD in Development Studies from the Institute of Social Studies, the Hague, says the coalition culture prevalent in Kathmandu permeated all the provinces and emerged as a big hindrance to federalism implementation.

“Instability has caused dissatisfaction,” said Dr. Poudyal, who is also a member of the Upper House. “There may not have been results as per expectations, but it would be wrong to say nothing has been achieved.”

Not everything is lost, according to her. “Despite roadblocks, there has been some remarkable progress,” she said. “There has been noteworthy representation of women and the marginalised in decision-making in local and provincial levels.”

Just not the physical division

Federalism in Nepal was envisaged not just for restructuring the state into different provinces. Besides ensuring effective service delivery and development, it meant, in essence, a guarantee of inclusion, creating an equitable society, end of discrimination against those who for decades had suffered at the hands of the unitary state, access of the underprivileged and marginalised to all organs of the state and an opportunity to the local people to govern on their own.

In Madhesh, where the seeds of federalism were sown, discontent runs high. Grievances among Madheshis, an umbrella term used for the people residing in the Madhesh region, stem from the fact that the Constitution was fast-tracked eight years ago ignoring their concerns. Major political parties, which were at the helm when the Constitution was passed, had pledged to amend the constitution, but no serious steps have been taken to that end.

Nityanand Mandal, a local journalist in Janakpur, the capital of Madhesh Province, says local parties that once claimed to be the torchbearers of federalism are so engrossed in power-sharing politics that they have completely ignored the spirit of federalism.

“Service delivery has not improved as desired. Those who were on the lower strata of the society continue to remain where they used to be,” said Mr. Mandal. “The chasm between the haves and have-nots has not been bridged.”

Observers say there is a lack of commitment to the Constitution and the values it espouses — republicanism, secularism and federalism — from the same parties that once championed the cause.

“Actually it has been business as usual. Parties are non-committal, public is nonchalant,” said Mr. Shah. “The federal government does not want to empower provinces.”

He sums Nepal’s current federalism up as a system “without gun, pen and money,” to describe provincial governments’ lack of control over police force, law-making and budget.

The problem is, say observers, federalism appears to have been orphaned by those who once were never tired of claiming to have birthed it.

Dr. Poudyal agrees that the country’s full transition to federalism has been hamstrung by the federal government and central level political parties’ controlling attitude and unwillingness to delegate power to lower level governments.

“There is no denying that federalism implementation has been encumbered by political parties. There are questions about ownership as well,” said Dr. Poudyal. “Federalism hence has been a slow work in progress.”

(Sanjeev Satgainya is an independent journalist based in Kathmandu)

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Pakistan vs Nepal Live Score, Asia Cup 2023: Babar Azam, Shadab Khan Shine As Pakistan Thrash Nepal By 238 Runs | Cricket News

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PAK vs NEP Live Score Updates: Pakistan defeat Nepal by 238 runs© AFP

Pakistan vs Nepal Live Score: Fiery centuries from Babar Azam and Iftikhar Ahmed, followed by a three-wicket haul from Shadab Khan guided Pakistan to a massive 238-run victory over Nepal in the opening match of Asia Cup 2023 on Wednesday. After amassing 342 for 6 batting first, Shaheen Shah Afridi struck twice in the first over as Nepal were eventually bowled out for 104. Shadab Khan claimed 4/27 from his 6.4 overs while Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf bowled impressive spells. Aarif Sheikh (26) and Sompal Kami (28) tried to delay the inevitable but Nepal were bundled out in only 23.4 overs. (Live Scorecard)

Pakistan vs Nepal | Asia Cup 2023 Live, Straight from Multan

  • 21:26 (IST)

    Pakistan vs Nepal Live Score: Pakistan win by 238 runs

    Pakistan (342/6) defeat Nepal (104) by 238 runs to begin their Asia Cup 2023 campaign with a massive win. For Pakistan Babar Azam and Iftikhar Ahmed score 151 and 109* runs respectively. Later, Shadab Khan took three wickets while Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf took two wickets each. 

  • 21:25 (IST)

    Pakistan vs Nepal Live Score: OUT

    OUT!!! Shadab Khan gets his third wicket of the night and this time he removes Kushal Malla for 6. Nine wickets gone for Nepal. 

    NEP 104/9 (23.2 overs)

  • 21:22 (IST)

    Pakistan vs Nepal Live Score: OUT

    OUT!!! Shadab Khan strikes again and removes Sandeep Lamichhane for duck. Lamichhane fails to judge the delivery as he gets clean bowled. Eight wickets gone for Nepal. 

    NEP 91/8 (21.5 overs)

  • 21:09 (IST)

    Pakistan vs Nepal Live Score: OUT

    OUT!!! Mohammad Nawaz joins the party and removes Dipendra Singh for 3. Dipendra gets completely bamboozled as Nawaz’s spinning delivery rattles up the bails. Sixth wicket gone for Nepal in the chase of 343. 

    NEP 90/6 (20.5 overs)

  • 20:59 (IST)

    Pakistan vs Nepal Live Score: OUT

    OUT!!! Haris Rauf strikes again and this time he removes Sompal Kami for 28. Sompal tries to play a shot on the outside off delivery but the ball hits the edge and wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan takes a brilliant catch behind the stumps. Fifth wicket gone for Nepal. 

    NEP 82/5 (17 overs)

  • 20:40 (IST)

    Pakistan vs Nepal Live Score: OUT

    OUT!!! Haris Rauf finally has provided Pakistan with another breakthrough as he dismissed Aarif Shiekh for 26. Sheikh completely misjudges the delivery as the pace delivery rattles up the middle stump. Fourth wicket gone for Nepal and the deadly partnership is finally broken. 

    NEP 73/4 (14.4 overs)

  • 20:30 (IST)

    Pakistan vs Nepal Live Score: Pakistan eye wickets

    After taking three wickets in an early stage, Pakistan are now seem to be losing the touch in the game. Aarif Sheikh and Sompal Kami are stitching a good partnership and dealing in boundaries. In the previous over of Shadab Khan, the duo scores seven runs, which include a boundary from Sompal. 

    NEP 73/3 (14 overs)

  • 20:21 (IST)

    Pakistan vs Nepal Live Score: Two boundaries in one over

    Aarif Sheikh and Sompal Kami smash one boundary each on Haris Rauf’s over. In total, the pacer leaks nine runs as Nepal aim to keep the momentum towards their side in the chase of 343. 

    NEP 56/3 (11 overs)

  • 20:12 (IST)

    Pakistan vs Nepal Live Score: 4 runs off the over

    Aarif Sheikh and Sompal Kami are stitching a solid partnership and steadily taking Nepal ahead in the game. In the previous over of Shaheen Afridi, Aarif smashes a boundary as the pacer leaks only four runs. 

    NEP 46/3 (9 overs)

  • 20:00 (IST)

    Pakistan vs Nepal Live Score: Aarif, Sompal steady

    After losing wickets in a quick succession, Nepal rely on a stable partnership between Aarif Sheikh and Sompal Kami. The duo is standing steadily and building some hopes for Nepal. In the previous over of Shaheen Afridi, the duo scores eight runs which include a boundary from Sompal. 

    NEP 36/3 (7 overs)

  • 19:50 (IST)

    Pakistan vs Nepal Live Score: Pakistan on top

    Pakistan pacers Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah have been dominating Nepal. So far, Nepal have lost three wickets and depend upon Aarif Sheikh and Sompal Kami for a stable partnership. On the other, Pakistan aim to end the proceedings at the earliest. 

    NEP 26/3 (5 overs)

  • 19:44 (IST)

    Pakistan vs Nepal Live Score: Good over from Naseem

    After losing three wickets in a quick succession, Nepal are cautiously moving ahead in the chase of 343. In the previous over of Nassem Shah, Aarif Sheikh and Sompal Kami score 4 runs, which include a boundary from the latter. Terrific bowling from the hosts. 

    NEP 22/3 (4 overs)

  • 19:37 (IST)

    Pakistan vs Nepal Live Score: OUT

    OUT!!! Naseem Shah has provided Pakistan with another breakthrough as he removed Aasif Sheikh for 5. Aasif gets completely bamboozled by the swing delivery as the ball touches the edge and Iftikhar Ahmed takes a brilliant catch at the slip. 

    NEP 14/3 (2 overs)

  • 19:25 (IST)

    Pakistan vs Nepal Live Score: OUT

    OUT!!! After scalping the first wicket, Shaheen Afridi roars again on the very next ball as he removes Rohit Paudel for duck. Shaheen strikes on Rohit’s pads as the umpire signals out. Second wicket gone for Nepal in the first over. 

    NEP 10/2 (1 overs)

  • 19:23 (IST)

    Pakistan vs Nepal Live Score: OUT

    OUT!!! Shaheen Afridi provides Pakistan with an early breakthrough as he dismisses Kushal Bhurtel for 8. Bhurtel tries to flick it for a boundary but wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan takes a brilliant catch behind the stumps. First wicket goen for Nepal in the chase.

    NEP 10/1 (0.5 overs)

  • 19:18 (IST)

    Pakistan vs Nepal Live Score: We are back

    Hello and welcome back to the second innings of the Asia Cup 2023 match between Pakistan and Nepal. In the chase of 343 runs, Kushal Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh have opened the innings for Nepal. On the other hand, Shaheen Afridi will be bowling the first over for Pakistan. 

  • 18:49 (IST)

    Pakistan vs Nepal Live Score: Pakistan 342/6 in 50 overs

    Pakistan score 342/6 in 50 overs against Nepal in the first match of Asia Cup 2023. For Pakistan, Babar Azam scored 151 while Iftikhar Ahmed smashed 109* runs. For Nepal, Sompal Kami scalped two wickets while Sandeep Lamichhane and Karan KC took one wicket each. 

  • 18:48 (IST)

    Pakistan vs Nepal Live Score: OUT

    In the last few minutes of the first innings, Nepal get another breakthrough as Sompal Kami dismisses Babar Azam for 151. In search of a big hit, Babar ends up giving a catch to Sundeep Jora at the long-off. 

    PAK 338/5 (49.4 overs)

  • 18:44 (IST)

    Pakistan vs Nepal Live Score: Iftikhar hits 100

    Iftikhar Ahmed smashes a boundary off Karan KC’s delivery and brings up his century in style. It is his maiden international hundred. Terrific batting from both Babar and Iftikhar as Pakistan still have one over left. 

    PAK 331/4 (49 overs)

  • 18:37 (IST)

    Pakistan vs Nepal Live Score: Babar hits 150

    Babar Azam takes a single off Sompal Kami’s delivery and brings up his 150. He is in terrific form as Pakistan aim for a huge total. On the other hand, Iftikhar Ahmed is also inching closer towards his maiden ODI century. 

    PAK 313/4 (48 overs)

  • 18:29 (IST)

    Pakistan vs Nepal Live Score: 19 runs off the over

    After smashing 20 runs in the previous over, Pakistan maintain the momentum and scores 19 runs in this over. Babar Azam and Iftikhar Ahmed thrash Sandeep Lamichhane as the spinner leaks 19 runs. The over includes a boundary from Iftikhar and two huge sixes from Babar. 

    PAK 294/4 (46 overs)

  • 18:22 (IST)

    Pakistan vs Nepal Live Score: 20 runs off the over

    Pakistan batters open a rampage on Nepal bowlers as they smash 20 overs in the previous over of Sompal Kami. The over include a boundary from Iftikhar Ahmed and two consecutive boundaries and a huge six from Babar Azam. Terrific batting from the duo. 

    PAK 275/4 (45 overs)

  • 18:17 (IST)

    Pakistan vs Nepal Live Score: Iftikhar on fire

    After bringing up his half-century, Iftikhar Ahmed is breathing fire as he has been dealing in boundaries. In the previous over of Dipendra Singh, he smashed a six while two overs ago, he smashed a boundary on Gulshan Jha’s delivery.

    PAK 255/4 (44 overs)

  • 18:06 (IST)

    Pakistan vs Nepal Live Score: Babar hits 100

    Babar Azam takes a single on Dipendra Singh’s delivery and brings up his century in 109 balls. It is his 10th century in the ODI format as four-down Pakistan aim for a good total. On the other hand, Iftikhar Ahmed has also brought up his second half-century. Brilliant batting from both the batters. 

    PAK 225/4 (41.2 overs)

  • 18:05 (IST)

    Pakistan vs Nepal Live Score: Iftikhar hits 50

    Iftikhar Ahmed takes a single off Dipendra Singh’s delivery and brings up his half-century in 43 balls. It is his second half-century in the ODI format. Terrific batting from the Pakistan batter. 

    PAK 223/4 (41.1 overs)

  • 17:48 (IST)

    Pakistan vs Nepal Live Score: Babar nears 100

    After bringing up his 29th ODI half-century, Babar Azam is also inching closer towards his century. It will be his 10th century in the ODI format. On the other, Iftikhar Ahmed is also dealing in boundaries and inching closer towards his fifty. 

    PAK 204/4 (38 overs)

  • 17:38 (IST)

    Pakistan vs Nepal Live Score: Babar struggling with cramps

    Despite putting up a good show with the bat, skipper Babar Azam is in trouble as he has been struggling with cramps. He is facing trouble while running between the wickets. He is standing unbeaten at 81 and inching closer towards his 19th century. 

    PAK 180/4 (35 overs)

  • 17:34 (IST)

    Pakistan vs Nepal Live Score: Babar, Iftikhar solid

    Babar Azam and Iftikhar Ahmed have helped Pakistan to get back on track as the duo is dealing in boundaries. In the previous over of Kushal Bhurtel, the duo smashes 10 runs which include a boundary from both the batters. 

    PAK 167/4 (34 overs)

  • 17:26 (IST)

    Pakistan vs Nepal Live Score: Good over from Sompal

    Sompal Kami bowls a good over and controls the flow of runs. In the previous over, he concedes only five runs as Babar Azam and Iftikhar Ahmed aim for some boundaries. Babar is batting at 71 and will be eyeing a hundred. 

    PAK 157/4 (33 overs)

  • 17:17 (IST)

    Pakistan vs Nepal Live Score: Good over from Karan

    Karan KC once again bowls an economical over and controls the flow of runs. In the previous over, he concedes only a boundary, which was smashed by Iftikhar Ahmed. On the other hand, Iftikhar and Babar Azam are standing strong aim for a good total for Pakistan. 

    PAK 143/4 (31 overs)

  • 17:07 (IST)

    Pakistan vs Nepal Live Score: Babar hits 50

    Babar Azam takes a double on Karan KC’s delivery and brings up his half-century. It is his 29th half-century in the ODI format. Terrific batting from the skipper as Pakistan aim for a huge total. 

    PAK 128/4 (28.2 overs)

  • 17:03 (IST)

    Pakistan vs Nepal Live Score: OUT

    OUT!!! Sandeep Lamichhane has provided Nepal with another breakthrough as he dismissed Agha Salman for 5. Salman plays a reverse sweep in search of a boundary but ended up giving a catch to Kushal Bhurtel at the backward point. Fourth wicket gone for Pakistan. 

    PAK 124/4 (27.5 overs)

  • 16:56 (IST)

    Pakistan vs Nepal Live Score: Good over from Lamichhane

    Sandeep Lamichhane bowls an excellent over and controls the flow of runs. In the previous over, he concedes only four runs and troubles Pakistan batters. On the other hand, Babar Azam is inching closer towards his half-century as he is standing unbeaten at 47. 

    PAK 120/3 (26 overs)

  • 16:47 (IST)

    Pakistan vs Nepal Live Score: OUT

    OUT!!! Big breakthrough for Nepal as Mohammad Rizwan departs for 44. Rizwan plays a shot on Sandeep Lamichhane’s delivery and tries to steal a single. However, a direct hit from Dipendra Singh, puts all his efforts in vain as he gets run out. The strong partnership between Babar and Rizwan is finally broken. 

    PAK 111/3 (23.4 overs)

  • 16:37 (IST)

    Pakistan vs Nepal Live Score: Babar nears 50

    Skipper Babar Azam smashes a brilliant boundary of Lalit Rajbanshi’s delivery and takes Pakistan across the 100-run mark. With that, he also crosses the 40-run mark and inches closer towards his half-century. It will be Babar Azam’s 29th half-century in the ODI format. 

    PAK 100/2 (21.2 overs)

  • 16:32 (IST)

    Pakistan vs Nepal Live Score: Babar, Rizwan Solid

    Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan have stitched a solid partnership of 70 runs and going solid against Nepal. Babar is standing unbeaten at 34 while Rizwan is standing unbeaten at 32. In the previous over, the duo score 7 runs off Dipendra Singh’s delivery, which include a boundary from Rizwan. 

    PAK 91/2 (20 overs)

  • 16:24 (IST)

    Pakistan vs Nepal Live Score: Good over from Dipendra and Lamichhane

    Dipendra Singh and Sandeep Lamichhane bowl economical overs and control the flow of runs. In the last two overs, they leak only 3 runs each and create pressure on Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. On the other hand, the Pakistan duo aims for some boundaries in order to bring the momentum towards their side. 

    PAK 78/2 (17 overs)

  • 16:12 (IST)

    PAK vs NEP Live Score: Babar, Rizwan steady

    Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan are standing steady and bringing Pakistan back on track. The duo is smashing boundaries at regular intervals and creating pressure on Nepal bowlers. On the other hand, Nepal are desperately waiting to scalp the wickets of the duo. 

    PAK 65/2 (14 overs)

  • 16:06 (IST)

    PAK vs NEP Live: FOUR

    FOUR!!! After analyzing the game for a bit, Mohammad Rizwan smartly plays a shot on Lalit Rajbanshi’s delivery and steals a boundary. Rizwan brilliantly fires shot towards the short fine leg and gets four runs. Pakistan aim for more such boundaries. 

    PAK 56/2 (12 overs)

  • 15:57 (IST)

    Pakistan vs Nepal Live Score: Good over from Rajbanshi

    After delivering a no-ball and getting hit for a boundary on the free-hit, Nepal spinners makes a good comeback on the remaining five balls as he leaks only 1 more run. Nepal are desperately eyeing the wicket of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan while Pakistan batters aim for some boundaries. 

    PAK 44/2 (10 overs)

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How the climb up Mount Everest has changed in 70 years

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It is June 2, 1953. Two historic headlines jostle for space on front pages. “Elizabeth II is crowned”, reads one, next to a splendid portrait of the British coronation ceremony. The other headline comes from 7,331 kilometres away, with an equally splendid silhouette of the world’s highest peak: “Everest is Conquered: Hillary and Tenzing reach the summit”. On May 29, New Zealander Sir Edmund Hillary and Nepal’s Tenzing Norgay Sherpa made their historic ascent of Mount Everest, reaching the peak at 29,032 feet. Their outstanding story travelled down the mountain on foot to a telegraph station in Kathmandu’s Namche Bazaar, from where it was sent to the British Embassy and was typed into history four days later. Mount Everest has never been the same after that.

Sir Edmund Hillary later said in an interview: “The climb at Everest really was a beginning rather than an end.”

Front page of the British newspaper Daily Express on June 2, 1953. Photo Credit: Daily Express

The ascent demystified a peak notorious for its harsh climate, roused ambitions among amateur mountaineers and led to new technologies and routes. Commercially guided expeditions transformed Everest into a tourist “bucket-list” destination, selling convenience and adventure, studded with massage centres, 5G connection, and recreational activities. As of 2019, the mountain had been climbed more than 10,000 times.

As the tourism industry refashioned the tallest mountain on Earth into an experience for thrill-seekers, new challenges have emerged: inexperienced climbers vulnerable to accidents and fatalities, overcrowding, pollution, and increased activity on the mountain that risks destabilising the core. 2023 is likely to be the deadliest year on record for Everest climbers, experts say, as changing weather conditions is altering slopes and making the ascent more treacherous.

A base camp reimagined

Until 1953, there were two known routes to the top of the world: the North Ridge from Tibet, from where British mountaineer George Mallory attempted a climb but disappeared in 1924; and the Southeast Ridge from Nepal, the line Tenzing and Sir Edmund traversed. While these are still the preferred routes, 15 other pathways have been identified since. The journey to the Everest Base Camp, which once took months, was reduced to eight days when a small mountain airstrip was built through Lukla in 1964.

In his autobiography Tiger of the Snows (1955), Tenzing Sherpa describes setting up base camps at 17,900 ft: “We were issued special clothes and boots and goggles. We ate strange foods out of tin cans. We used pressure stoves and sleeping bags and all sorts of other equipment I had never seen before.” Today, trek companies have advertised it as one of the few treks with “world-class amenities”, dotted with tea houses, massage corners, pubs, bakeries, continental meals, internet and telephone connectivity. Helicopter evacuation is also available for $500-$800 per person.

While once upon a time news of successful ascents had to physically travel, the medium of transmission has now drastically changed: when British climber Kenton Cool reached the summit for the ninth time in 2011, he sent out a tweet. In 2020, China announced 5G connectivity was in operation at the Everest summit.

Hall of fame

Nepal’s Kami Rita Sherpa on May 23 this year made history, earning the record of the highest number of times one has reached the summit (28 times).

Nepal’s Lhaka Sherpa holds the record for most number of ascents by a woman (10 times).

Indians made the first successful attempt when a group was led by Captain M.S. Kohli in 1965. Since then, Indians have made more than 465 attempts to climb Mount Everest.

Technological advancement has led to more advanced climbing gear and oxygen supplies that are lighter and more effective. While once metal plates were tied to climbers’ shoes with strings for walking on ice, sturdier stainless-steel footwear are used today. Climber Alan Arnette who scaled the peak in 2011 has noted in a blog the advancements made in supplemental oxygen, as companies began manufacturing small lightweight gas cylinders that do not freeze and offered a steady flow of oxygen.

The expedition style remains much the same: Sherpas and experienced guides from local ethnic communities set the route to the summit, stock the camp and carry oxygen supplies and food for clients who rely on the Sherpas’ navigation skills and knowledge of extreme altitudes. On the 1953 trek, Sir Edmund in an interview described a team that included 11 climbers, 20 Sherpa guides and 362 porters, along with 10,000 pounds of baggage. Reports show tour companies today selling high-end luxury packages that promise five Sherpas per climber, tasked with providing comfortable tents, hot water and carrying an unlimited supply of oxygen.

Perhaps the most notable change is in the climbers themselves: they were once elite mountaineers, but now many are inexperienced tourists. The Nepal government handed out 454 climbing permits this year, at about $11,000 per permit to foreigners. In 2019, Nepal proposed changes to its permit process after climbing-related deaths, requiring a certificate of medical fitness and previous mountaineering experience. Experts, however, caution these are inadequate and ill-implemented standards that can be easily fudged and surpassed. Some tour companies have initiated plans to use drones and GPS trackers to monitor climbers’ movements and safety.

A fatal expedition

Between 1922 and May 20, 2023, 193 climbers and 125 Sherpas have died on Everest. The top causes include avalanches (78), falls (72), Acute Mountain Sickness-AMS (38), exhaustion (28), illness-non-AMS (27), and exposure (26). (Source: Alan Arnette’s blog)

Overcrowding is a growing concern — queues at the top of the world can cause fatal delays. In May 2012, four people died as traffic formed around the Hillary Step, a 40-foot rock wall below the summit, delaying the process of replenishing the oxygen supply. Reports showed climbers spent almost two hours stuck there, a hazardous pit stop had an avalanche struck. May 2019 again proved fatal for 11 people.

It took 20 years for the first 600 people to climb Mount Everest. That number is now easily matched in one season itself: more than 900 people reportedly scaled the peak this year. With more climbers, pollution has also changed the landscape — researchers have found pits littered with thousands of tons of solid waste, including plastic, aluminium beer cans, glass whiskey bottles, paper products, and human waste. Mountain geologist Alton Byers in an article estimated there is almost 5,400 kg of human waste due to diarrhea and other intestinal problems.

It is estimated that almost 90% of the climbers on Everest are guided clients, many without even basic climbing skills, paying somewhere between $30,000 and $120,000. “Only half the people here have the experience to climb this mountain,” Panuru Sherpa said in an article. “The half without experience are the most likely to die.”

Treacherous climbs

The changed nature of the climb has brought the top of the world within everyone’s reach. But the increased activity and commercialised nature of expeditions may risk doing long-term damage to the mountain, some evidence shows. Activities like using kerosene and gas for heating and cooking, along with urinating at base camps, may have thawed glacial ice.

Tents are pitched on Camp 2, as climbers rest on their way to summit the 29,035-foot Mount Everest on May 16, 2013.

Tents are pitched on Camp 2, as climbers rest on their way to summit the 29,035-foot Mount Everest on May 16, 2013.
| Photo Credit:
AP

Climate change and the warming weather are also steadily changing the climb. A Sherpa guide told PBS that treks which previously took more than five hours now take 30 minutes due to glacial melting. Even the ice chunks of Khumbu Glacier that were once visible from the base camp have dissolved.

A 2022 study published in Nature’s Climate and Atmospheric Researchjournal found Mount Everest’s glaciers have lost 2,000 years of ice in just three decades due to warming temperatures in the region. The change was most visible on Everest’s highest glacier, the South Col Glacier, where there was an almost complete loss of snow cover. One-third of Himalayan glaciers are predicted to melt even if temperature rise is limited to 1.5°C by 2100. Experts worry the rapid ice loss and unpredictable systems will make floods and droughts more likely, wreaking havoc on local communities, .

In 2022, a Nepali government committee recommended shifting the Everest Base Camp, currently at Khumbu Glacier at 5,346 m above sea level, some 200 and 400 m lower due to melting ice cliffs. “We surprisingly see crevasses appearing overnight at places where we sleep,” Colonel Kishor Adhikari of the Nepal army previously told BBC.

Crevasses are fractures in a glacier when the ice flow increases, with warming temperatures being one of the causes. In April, three climbers fell into a 160-foot-deep crevasse at Khumbu Glacier. Moreover, as huge towers of ice recede and dislodge, large rocks are rolling down the mountainside close to camping tents, putting climbers at risk.

When Sir Edmund and Tenzing reached the pinnacle and looked down the way they came, Tenzing remembers seeing the south summit, the South Col, the Khumbu Glacier — fixtures that are now fading. “Beyond them, and around, it was such a sight as I had never seen before and would never see again: wild, wonderful and terrible. “

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