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Recent events in Russia have brought the Wagner Group, a controversial private military company, into the spotlight. With concerns about the fate of its fighters and leader, the group’s future hangs in the balance. Reports indicate that the leader of the group has sought refuge in Belarus, while Russian President Vladimir Putin has presented the soldiers with three options: Join the Russian military, return to their families, or seek refuge in Belarus. As uncertainty looms, the group continues to expand its operations and attract new members, including young individuals from Nepal.

Nepalis possess renowned combatant qualities as the enlistment of the Gorkhas, acknowledged globally as an exceptionally fierce warrior, in the Indian Army and the British Army since 1815 shows. Gorkha regiments raised by the British exhibited remarkable valor in various military campaigns. “This is a troubling circumstance. The Nepal government lacks the capacity to intervene as these individuals have taken action independently,” EurAsian Times quoted Nepali Army’s Major General Binoj Basnyat (retd) in reference to the Nepali youths’ involvement in the Ukraine war.

“If Nepali citizens are serving in the armed forces of a sovereign nation, it should align with the government's foreign policy, or there ought to be (an) MoU or a treaty with the respective country. However, such mechanisms are absent in this instance,” he remarked, stressing the need for the government of Nepal to address the matter promptly. Numerous videos have emerged on social media platforms over recent weeks (some of them self-captured), showcasing Nepali youths enlisting in the Russian Army, exhibiting their training sessions or their arrival at training facilities. 

In one particular case, the video shows a young individual from the Koshi region, a Russian university student, pointing out that he had two choices with the expiration of his visa: Either return to Nepal and face unemployment or secure a position in the Russian Army.

An attractive incentive

President Vladimir Putin has offered Russian citizenship to individuals willing to commit to one year of military service. This game-changing move seems to have further attracted the Nepali youths to the group along with the relaxing of some of the requirements, including language proficiency.

Historically, Nepal has sent its youths to serve only a number of armies and police forces, including the British and Indian armies. However, India’s new recruitment scheme—Agnipath—has strained Nepal-India relations, prompting Nepali youths to explore alternative opportunities.

Uncertainties surrounding Wagner

While Wagner prospects may appear enticing due to its financial rewards and promise of modern warfare experience, it is crucial to keep in mind that the group is not an official army and that its operations have frequently sparked controversies. The group faces an uncertain future, raising legitimate concerns about the long-term viability of the Nepali youths’ decision to join their ranks.

The recent mutiny and the Wagner leader seeking refuge in Belarus have added another layer of uncertainty surrounding the group, raising questions over the fate of the fighters concerned. It is essential for individuals considering joining the group to carefully evaluate the potential risks and associated challenges.

In conclusion, young Nepali individuals joining the group has raised eyebrows and prompted deeper analysis. Putin’s decree offering Russian citizenship to those, who commit to military service, has fueled the recruitment drive further. While the future of the group remains uncertain, it is crucial for potential recruits to carefully consider the risks associated with joining a private military company by looking beyond the benefits like offer of citizenship, attractive salaries, health and life insurance benefits, performance-based bonuses, and the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with modern weapons.

Restaurants in Kathmandu serve a wide variety of Indian cuisines. But authentic Rajasthani cuisine seems to be a little out of grasp. To fill this void, Vivanta Kathmandu is organizing a grand cultural event ‘Royal Flavor of Rajasthan’ at Mynt in Jhamsikhel, Lalitpur. 

With limitless appetizers and a buffet for just Rs 2000 per person, you can try out delectable Rajasthani food from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm from July 21–31.

Sanjeev Kumar Suman, executive chef at Mynt, has decades of experience working at Rambagh Palace in Jaipur. He has selected the finest of Rajasthani delicacies for the event. 

While running us through the dishes, the chef provided us with historical context on the origins of Rajasthani cuisine. Dry weather conditions and water scarcity in the region were apparently major influences for its culinary traditions, leading people to adopt a variety of preservation techniques and ingredients that can withstand a harsh environment.

The staff at the food counter were dressed in colorful Rajasthani pagri, which gave off a Rajasthani vibe. You will be served a genuine Rajasthani chaat as a starter, along with a number of other items like Papdi/Dahi wali/ Kachori and other dishes including Dahi ke Kebab, Sarso Wali Tawa Machli, and many others which are popular in the region. 

You will also find a section dedicated to rotis where you may treat your palate to some of Rajasthan’s unique rotis, like Methi Roti, Bajre ki Roti, Missi Roti, and Makki Roti.

Make sure you are famished on the day you choose to attend the event because the options for the main course might be overwhelming otherwise. There are plenty of choices for both vegetarians and non-vegetarians. 

Some dishes that we recommend are the Jodhpuri Kabuli Pulao, Jodhpur Aloo Pyaj, Churma, Ker Sangri, Dhungar Paneer, Rajasthani Gatta Curry, and Laal Maas. Also, don’t miss out on popular Rajasthani sweets such as Malpwa, Ghewar with Rabdi, and Moong Dal Halwa. 

To discover more about Rajasthani food, its potent flavors, and earthy ingredients, visitors can speak to the chefs and staff. The ingredients will also be exhibited so those who are interested can learn more about the cuisine. Additionally the decor of the place—the vibrant colors, traditional painting and art among others—will make you feel like you are somewhere in Rajasthan. 

What’s more, there will be live music and you will get to be a part of a lucky draw contest too. 

Their specials:

Bajre Ki Roti

Jodhpuri Kabuli Pulao

Laal Maas

Ghevar with Rabdi

Ker Sangri

Location: Jhamsikhel, Kathmandu

Meal for two: Rs 4,000

Opening hours: 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm

Contact: 01-5525002

Online payment: Accepted

Parking: Available

With large businesses to small businesses, as well as individuals, struggling to pay their dues and fulfill financial obligations on time due to the ongoing economic crisis, there has been a dramatic surge in the number of blacklisted individuals and firms.  

The number of individuals and firms blacklisted by the Credit Information Bureau (CIB) at the request of banks and financial institutions surged by 142.38 percent in the last fiscal year 2022/23.

According to the bureau, a total of 30,109 individuals and firms were blacklisted in FY 2022/23. In the previous fiscal year 2021/22, a total of 12,422 firms and individuals were blacklisted.

The CIB blacklists the individuals and firms defaulting on loans and those failing to issue non-funded or underfunded checks at the request of the banks and financial institutions (BFIs) concerned.

Such is the surge in the blacklisting that the number of blacklisted individuals and firms in the last year has surpassed the total number of blacklisted till FY 2021/22. Till FY 2021/22, around 27,000 individuals and firms were blacklisted by the CIB. However, in the last one year (FY 2022/23), 30,109 individuals and firms were blacklisted.

Experts and bankers attribute the rise in blacklisting to the current economic crisis. There has been an interruption in the flow of money in the market due to a prolonged liquidity crunch as well as the slowdown in aggregate demand. In addition, banks and financial institutions’ higher interest rates have also hit small businesses hard. 

Companies and individuals issue checks of a certain date to settle their business and personal transactions. However, due to the recent downturn in business, the ability of companies and individuals to pay their creditors has weakened. People often issue bad checks to their creditors to avoid a difficult situation.

Since last fiscal year, the CIB has also introduced a policy of blacklisting people defaulting on loan payments to microfinance institutions. Of the total blacklisted individuals and firms, 721 are customers of microfinance institutions while the remaining 29,388 have been blacklisted on the recommendation of commercial banks, development banks, and finance companies. The total number of blacklisted individuals and firms has reached 56,384 by the end of FY 2022/23.

Banks and financial institutions recommend individuals and firms that fail to repay loans for six months for blacklisting to the CIB. 

The majority of blacklisting that has happened in the last fiscal year is related to check bounces. CIB Spokesperson Bijay Kunwar said that there were more cases of check bounces in the last fiscal year. 

The statistics of Nepal Police also tell that cheque bounces cases are on the rise. According to the data obtained from Nepal Police, 6,483 cases of banking offenses with the amount equal to Rs 8.57bn have been registered till mid-March 2023.

The data show there have already been more banking fraud cases registered in the first eight months of FY 2022/23 than in FY 2021/22. According to Nepal Police, a total of 5,416 cases of banking fraud were registered in the last fiscal year. 

The majority of banking offense cases are related to cheque bounces. In this fiscal also, 99 percent of banking offense cases are of bad cheques. 

Of the total 6,483 banking fraud cases, 6,422 were related to bad checks. As per the Banking Offense and Punishment Act, 2008, the non-payment of a written cheque three times due to the account holder’s failure to maintain the amount mentioned on the check is counted as a banking offense.

Number of blacklisted individuals and firms 

FY Number

2020/21 4,474

2021/22 12,422

2022/23 30,109

A couple of years ago, I read ‘I’m Thinking of Ending Things’ by Iain Reid despite having watched its movie adaptation and not liking it very much. A story about an unnamed woman dating a dullish man called Jake for about six weeks when the two decide to go visit Jake’s parents, it was dark and creepy. I had bought the book because I had fallen in love with the cover but I actually ended up enjoying it quite a bit. 

So, I was excited to stumble upon another book by the author. ‘We Spread’ is a recent release—it came out last year. I’m Thinking of Ending Things was dialogue driven, ‘We Spread’  a lot less so. But despite the different writing styles, Reid knows how to captivate his readers. 

‘We Spread’  is a story of a widow who finds herself at a strange care home where time seems to pass quickly. At the beginning of the story, Penny lives alone in an apartment that she shared with her husband for many years. But she falls and injures herself when trying to change a lightbulb and finds herself being taken to a private care facility, Six Cedars, when she regains consciousness. Apparently, her husband had made the arrangements for her years ago. Her memory is failing her, so she can’t remember agreeing to it. 

Initially, she’s skeptical and wants to move back into her apartment. She thinks she’s perfectly capable of taking care of herself. But she slowly starts to adjust to life at the facility—she has people her own age to talk to and isn’t lonely anymore. The facility’s manager, Shelly, claims she has a background in science that makes it possible for her to provide top-notch care for older people. She seems to really care about Six Cedar’s six residents. But something feels off to Penny and she starts wondering if Shelly’s motives are actually driven by something sinister. 

‘We Spread’  is a quick read. The chapters are short, some just a page long. But its message about identity and aging makes you want to slow down and take your time. I have to admit it’s not an easy book. There were times when I had to pause and ponder over what I had just read or go back a couple of pages to make sense of things. The book is dedicated to Reid’s grandmother, who died in a care facility when she was 101, after having lived there for two years. Despite its horror backdrop, ‘We Spread’  is an important story that looks at how society marginalizes older people, and how aging is viewed with disdain and distrust.

Three-and-a-half stars

Fiction

We Spread

Iain Reid

Published: 2022

Publisher: Scribner

Pages: 287, Paperback