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Donald Lu, the US assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asian Affairs, visited Nepal this week to take stock of the progress on the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC).

The US embassy in Kathmandu said Lu’s visit was a part of his regular diplomatic engagement in the region. In Kathmandu, he met with various leaders and ministers to discuss the progress on the MCC Compact to date.

The Compact has two components: construction of a transmission line and road maintenance. The transmission line project under the MCC envisions construction of  around 315 km of double circuit high capacity 400 kV transmission lines and three new electricity substations. The transmission line will pass through Kathmandu, Sindhupalchok, Nuwakot, Dhading, Makwanpur, Chitwan, Tanahun, Palpa, Nawalpur, and Parasi districts. 

Similarly, the road maintenance project will focus on the East-West Highway in Dang district. Based on the results of the pilot, MCA-Nepal will further complete the Lamahi to Shivakhola section. At present, the total road segment proposed for maintenance in the East-West Highway is approximately 77 km.

These projects are set to commence in August with a five-year completion deadline or by 2028. The projects will be executed by Millennium Challenge Accounts Nepal (MCA-Nepal).

Lu had played a vital role in getting the MCC endorsed through Nepal’s parliament. Nepal’s political parties were heavily divided on the issue of ratifying the Compact through parliament. Those against the Compact, mostly communist parties, had raised unfounded suspicion that the US was trying to deploy its army in Nepal in order to contain China.

The Compact was ultimately endorsed by Nepal’s parliament with declarative interpretation (which the US has not recognized) amid protests in the streets, as Lu had warned that the US could review its relationship with Nepal if the MCC was discarded. 

China too was against the MCC ratification, and had openly fallen out with the US on the issue. Beijing suspects that the Compact is part of the US Indo-Pacific Strategy to stop China’s growing influence.  

Though Nepal’s parliament has passed the MCC, the US is still not wholly convinced it will move ahead smoothly. This skepticism is not just born out of continuing political opposition to the MCC in Nepal, but also of the technical hurdles at the local level.     

The main hurdle, according to an official at the Ministry of Finance, is land acquisition for the transmission line project. In some areas, people are urging the MCA-Nepal to change the route of the transmission line because it falls right over their homes and farmland, which they are unwilling to let go. The modality of compensation for acquiring land has also not been finalized yet.  

In April, Khadga Bahadur Bisht, executive director of MCA-Nepal, had informed the meeting of the MCA-Nepal board of directors that a technical survey of the electricity transmission line was completed, except on some segments due to social issues. Three months later, the problem remains as it is.

There is a lack of cooperation between MCA-Nepal office and Nepal government officials to resolve the local and technical issues. The task of land acquisition is being undertaken by district administration offices.

Regarding the land acquisition, field verification is going on in seven districts, except in Nuwakot, Sindhupalchok and Kathmandu. With the MCC implementation set to come into force in August, the task is unlikely to be completed on time.

There is also the task of forest census, which too remains incomplete. Forest clearance is one complicated task which needs to be settled in coordination with the Ministry of Forest and Environment and its subordinates. Here too the MCA-Nepal office has been unable to coordinate effectively with the concerned forest offices.

CPN-UML leader Pradeep Gyawali, who is also former foreign minister, says the MCC should be implemented honoring the deadline without any obstructions as it has already been endorsed by the Parliament.

However, both government and MCA-Nepal officials are uncertain about timely completion of the projects. They are brainstorming whether to commence the project in August and gradually complete the remaining tasks or commence the work only after all outstanding problems have been settled. 

Despite the challenges and risks, one official said MCA-Nepal has fixed August end as an entry into force date for the MCC.  

The MCC Nepal Compact is a five-year $500 million grant agreement signed between Nepal government and the MCC in 2017. The Nepal government has agreed to invest an additional $197m in the program, for a total of $697m.

Initially, the project should have come into implementation in 2018 which was delayed by four years due to the controversy surrounding its parliamentary endorsement. 

Mrigendra Bahadur Karki, Executive Director, Center for Nepal and Asian Studies, says the central focus of the US in Nepal at the moment is smooth implementation of the MCC. 

He adds since the MCC was protested by internal and external forces, the US is worried that the same forces would not delay its implementation. 

Currently, there seems to be no significant political opposition to the MCC, but technical issues at the local level are likely to delay the project. In case of a delay, the MCC project cost is likely to increase and may require additional Rs 5bn to complete, say some officials. 

A love-struck couple from arch-rivals India and Pakistan, who met in a gaming chat room before sneaking across borders to be together, say their passion trumped national rivalries or fear of religious backlash.

Sachin Meena, 22, an unmarried Indian shopkeeping assistant and a Hindu, connected with 27-year-old Seema Haider, a married Pakistani mother of four and a Muslim, playing the online shooting game PUBG during the coronavirus pandemic in 2020.

“We became friends and our friendship turned to love and our chats became longer—every morning and night—before we finally decided to meet,” said Seema, speaking to AFP from the cramped courtyard of Sachin’s two-room family home, where she now lives.

Seema, who left Pakistan and her husband with her four children by smuggling herself into India via Nepal in May—for which the couple were arrested then bailed out last week—said she has since married Sachin and taken his name.

“I converted to Hinduism,” she said, sitting next to Sachin in the village of Rabupura, about 55 kilometers from New Delhi. “I’d rather die than return or leave Sachin”. While the lovers have found each other, the history of their respective nations is bitter.

India and Pakistan, both nuclear-armed nations, have fought three wars since being carved out of the subcontinent in 1947. Each expelled the other’s high commissioner in 2019, and bilateral diplomatic, cultural, business and sporting links are very limited.

Indian police insist that Seema’s long-term stay will be impossible.

“I request the Indian government to grant me citizenship,” Seema pleaded, a red headscarf covering her hair and her four young children playing nearby.

‘Destined’

Apostasy is considered punishable by death in some interpretations of Islam. Seema said she had already received online threats and insisted the couple would “live and die together”.

Seema’s proclamation of “undying love” for Sachin and a promise to only return to Pakistan “as a dead woman” when they featured on a raucous Indian TV debate this week drew cheers from the crowds sitting around them.

Seema said she had been first attracted by Sachin’s gaming skills.

Three years later, the couple met in person in March in Nepal.

She became sure about leaving her “abusive” Pakistani husband—charges he denies—after the first meeting.

The couple said it took months of meticulous planning with help from YouTube videos on how to enter India via Nepal. In May, she succeeded.

“It was very difficult to travel from Pakistan to India,” she said. “I believe that with God’s love, we were destined to meet.”

Sachin’s family only learned of her existence when he rented a nearby apartment with her.

“There was some resistance, but my father and everyone accepted us. They are happy for us,” said Sachin. “I will do everything for them.”

Indian police found out after they tried to get married at a local court.

‘Still my family’

Seema’s estranged husband, Ghulam Haider, left his job as a laborer and rickshaw driver to earn more money for his family in Saudi Arabia.

Haider, who said he had not heard of PUBG, wants his family back.

“I earnestly appeal to Indian and Pakistani authorities to bring my wife and children back to me,” Ghulam Haider told AFP by phone from Saudi Arabia.

Haider said the couple, from different Baloch tribes, have a defiant love story of their own.

Forbidden by their families from marrying, they ran away to get hitched—a taboo in Pakistan that can sometimes lead to so-called honor killings.

“Later, a jirga (council of elders) was summoned to settle the matter and a fine of one million rupees (around $3,640) was slapped on me,” he said.

“I am far from my home, from my family, and it is very agonizing for me because we married out of love.”

‘She is an adult’

In India, the couple have received a popular welcome. Crowds from nearby villages have been visiting them since their arrest grabbed national headlines. “We took selfies,” said Rakesh Chand, 37, who drove over an hour to offer his congratulations, one of the dozens lining up to greet them.

“Sachin is very happy, even his family has accepted them, so the government must ensure that she isn’t forced to leave.” But on the streets near her old home in Pakistan, Dhani Bakhsh village in eastern Karachi, the news has not been welcomed.

While people know about Seema’s story, few are willing to talk about the incident openly—though they gossip in small groups on street corners. “Let’s forget about her, as she has gone and she is an adult,” said Haider’s cousin Zafarullah Bugti, blaming PUBG for turning Seema into ‘a psycho’.

Seema herself is unrepentant, calling Sachin the “love of her life” and insisting she will dedicate herself to her family. “My children will get all the love, care and attention here,” she said. 

AFP

Recently released on Netflix, ‘Afwaah’  (translation: Rumour) is a thought-provoking Hindi-language mystery thriller directed by Sudhir Mishra. The film delves into the perils and repercussions of rumors, particularly in the age of social media. With an engaging narrative and a talented ensemble cast, ‘Afwaah’  explores the dark side of society, media, and the consequences of unfounded speculations.

In ‘Afwaah’ , we meet Rahab Ahmed (played by the incredible Nawazuddin Siddiqui), a renowned advertising professional, and Nivedita Singh (portrayed by the talented Bhumi Pednekar), a political heiress. Their lives take an unexpected turn when they find themselves entangled in a treacherous web of rumors created by the ever-present social media platforms. Sudhir Mishra skillfully illustrates how these whispers can morph into dangerous weapons, wreaking havoc on individuals and their relationships.

One of the standout qualities of ‘Afwaah’  lies in its intense storytelling. The film keeps its narrative firmly rooted in reality, shedding light on the sinister aspects of society and media. It fearlessly tackles the hazards of social media and even provides a glimpse into the religious conflicts happening in our neighboring country, drawing inspiration from real-life events of the past. The result is a thought-provoking piece of cinema that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Now, let’s talk about performances. Nawazuddin Siddiqui delivers a masterful portrayal as Rahab Ahmed, infusing his character with depth and nuance. It’s a shame, though, that his potential for even greater intensity is underutilized. On the other hand, Bhumi Pednekar shines as Nivedita Singh, showcasing her versatility and capturing the essence of her character with sheer conviction.

Bhumi Pednekar truly steals the show in ‘Afwaah’ . She brings to life a social rebel who exudes a delightful mix of confidence and respect for personal boundaries. As an heiress, her character holds the power to wield influence, but in a patriarchal world, she becomes a victim of misogyny, even within her own family. Despite the challenges she faces, Pednekar’s portrayal of Nivedita radiates strength and boldness, leaving a lasting impact.

The supporting cast, featuring talents like Sharib Hashmi, Sumit Kaul, Sumeet Vyas, and Appurv Gupta, adds depth and effectiveness to the film's overall impact. Together, they create a compelling ensemble that enhances the viewing experience.

While ‘Afwaah’  maintains a gripping pace for the most part, there are instances where it might feel a tad slow and lethargic. The climax, in particular, ventures into the realm of Bollywoodish fiction but unfortunately falls short in execution, lacking the impact it initially promised. Nonetheless, these minor shortcomings don't overshadow the film’s strengths.

In a nutshell, ‘Afwaah’  is a compelling drama thriller that offers valuable insights into the power of rumors and their far-reaching consequences. The performances are commendable, the writing is solid, and Sudhir Mishra's direction keeps you engaged throughout the film. Though it may not skyrocket to superhit status, it remains a captivating watch for audiences craving a thought-provoking cinematic experience.

Who should watch it? 

If you’re a fan of slow-burn thrillers, this one’s right up your alley. It may take its time to unfold, but it grips you with its intensity. The storytelling feels genuine and relatable, making it a worthwhile investment of your time. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0drCO1XmlNU 

Genre: Drama/Thriller

Rating: 3.5 stars

Cast: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Bhumi Pednekar 

Director: Sudhir Mishra

Run time: 2hrs 6mins

I observed that the Nepali Army allocates a significant portion of its budget toward salaries, allowances and training. This expenditure seems reasonable considering the army’s reputation and its crucial role in the country. However, prior to the Maoist insurgency, the army was smaller in size, necessitating an expansion due to the insurgency. The integration of the Maoist PLA into the NA further increased its current size to approximately 98,000 personnel.

In light of these circumstances, I have two perspectives. Firstly, shouldn’t we evaluate the current scenario? It is not necessarily a call for downsizing the army, but rather a suggestion to review and assess whether downsizing or upsizing is necessary.

Why do controversies arise when we raise military matters? These matters warrant serious deliberations and extensive research.

Considering our transition to federalism and the emergence of heightened border security threats, we may even require a stronger and larger army. 

The author is a member of National Assembly