By Our Reporter With CPN-UML deciding to retain the 70-year retirement age and two-term limitation for those working in executive bodies in the party statute, many UML leaders, including Ishwar Pokharel are not likely to become party chairman. As KP Sharma Oli is almost sure to become party chairman, Pokharel and many others may lose the chance of becoming party chair as they will cross 70 by the next general convention of the party. The CPN-UML had introduced the age limit of 70 years in active politics in its 9th general convention and lifted it after KP Oli became the Prime Minister in 2018. The CPN-UML in its central committee meeting proposed to retain the age limit of 70 years for participation in the party’s 10th general convention slated for November this year. If the rule comes into effect, the upcoming convention will be the last one for many leaders of the party. From Iswhar Pokharel to Bishnu Paudel and even Subas Nembang will cross the age bar in less than five years, which means they would not be able to reach the leadership if they fail to get elected in the 10th convention. Open border with India a bane for Nepal The long open border with India has been posing several risks to Nepal, but the governments in Nepal hardly pay attention to regulate the borders fearing that they will lose everything if they float the plan. As a result, the Nepali people and the nation continued to suffer because of the open border. When the border remained closed for public movement because of COVID-19, smuggling of goods, movements of terrorists and refugees and even human trafficking continued, proving that the open borders have been a boon for criminals. Even communicable diseases pass through the open border, it is evident from the spread of COVI-19 last year, which entered Nepal through the southern border. Of late, incidents of smuggling of various goods including drugs and gold to Nepal is rising. Police records show growing cross border smuggling of hashish in recent months. And such crimes will continue in Nepal unless the government dares to regulate the border. Ordeals faced by 73 Buddha Air passengers     On Monday, 73 passengers on board an aircraft belonging to Buddha Airfaced an ordeal in the sky above Biratnagar and Kathmandu. When the plane bound to Biratnagar from Kathmandu encountered a problem in landing gear when it had reached Biratnagar airport, had to return to Kathmandu and make several rounds in the sky above the airport before it made a ‘normal’ landing at the Tribhuvan International Airport. Buddha Air's call sign 9N-ANI flight had flown from Kathmandu to Biratnagar at 8:33 am carrying 73 passengers, including three infants, two children and 68 adults, returned to Kathmandu after efforts to land the aircraft despite four to five attempts to land the plane at the Biratnagar airport. There were four crew members in the aircraft. Upon arriving at the Kathmandu airport, the aircraft made several rounds in the sky of Kathmandu before it made a successful landing after the initially failed wheels of the aircraft opened all of a sudden. For the whole trip, the passengers underwent unimaginable ordeals in the sky with many women passengers crying. According to a press statement issued by Buddha Air, the plane returned to Kathmandu after the air traffic control room in Biratnagar informed that the landing gear of the plane could not be seen open for the landing. The statement further mentioned that before landing the aircraft, captain AG Sherpa made contact with the technical team of Buddha Air and the Captain was informed that the landing gear opened and remained in the right position. The airlines has also sought an apology from all the passengers and their families for facing the hassle and informed that the passengers would be taken safely to their destination managing other flights. The problem arose because of the age of the plane. It was learned that the aircraft was old as it was bought from India after India used it for years. Meanwhile, another Buddha Air flight bound for Pokhara on Monday returned to Kathmandu after experiencing technical problems in the indicator when it reached Manakamana in Gorkha. It had to return to Kathmandu before reaching Pokhara. The reason was the same, it was also an old aircraft. Of course, private airlines tend to purchase old and cheap planes for commercial flights putting the life of the passengers at high risk.