 Heart of All Problems
The cover story this issue attempts to analyze the situation of development process during the state of political confusion last couple of years “Talking Politics All Season” (SPOTLIGHT February 10). It is true that without the parliament and the elected representatives at the local bodies, the people’s voices have been overshadowed. But, what is equally true is that politics is the heart of the nation and in a similar manner that body organs cannot function properly with a weak heart, all sectors of the nation will be affected in a state of political confusion. So, in my opinion, there is nothing wrong with the political leaders and all concerned in talking about politics all season in an attempt to make the ‘heart’ healthy before thinking about anything else.
Rekha Poudel
Swayambhu
Public Welfare Overshadowed
You have rightly pointed out that the voices and needs of the common people have been overshadowed by the mainstream politics since the past few years “Talking Politics All Season” (SPOTLIGHT February 10). As you have stated in the story, earlier when there was a parliament and elected representatives in the local bodies, they used to raise the development concerns on behalf of the people. Whether the agenda of building infrastructures at local level or atrocities to the people from some sector, the MPs used to raise voices in the parliament thereby attracting the government’s and the public attention. But, after the dissolution of the House of Representatives and the end of term of local representatives, such problems of the people have been overshadowed. The political leaders have little time to think about it and they do not have a proper forum to put their points. Moreover, with the constitution not functioning properly and democracy derailed, the leaders of the political parties are more concerned at restoring a proper democracy than raising people’s problems. Likewise, the local leaders who would delegate to the MPs, and ministers regarding the problems at their areas are no more in position. The local bodies were sometimes run by government officials and by nominated figures without a popular base at other times. Interestingly, the media which is also equally responsible for raising the people’s problems, too, was focused on the mainstream politics ignoring the ‘voice of the voiceless’. This has pushed the country back by several years in terms of development. We hope the situation does not last long, and the development processes run smoothly irrespective of the political instability in the country.
Raghubar Thapa
Nepaltar
A Sheer Failure
The recently held municipal elections were a sheer failure “MUNICIPAL POLLS: Desperate Exercise” (SPOTLIGHT February 10). As you have written it was a desperate exercise on part of the government to prove its legitimacy. Had it been a success it would have benefited the common people as they would have been with their proper representatives who could raise their voices and the development processes stalled since many years would gain momentum. However, the way it was conducted with the major political parties not contesting for it and the government actively participating in choosing the candidates and supporting their close ones, the election has little meaning. Although, the government figure states that 21 per cent of the voters participated in the polls, scanning a few booths in the capital for a few hours would suggest that the figure was highly inflated. Most of the election booths had scanty voters throughout the day. There is little doubt that most of the votes were cast prior to the elections or by the people deployed by the government. In that, the elected candidates do not represent the real representatives of the people. With no public support and intimidation and threat from the insurgents, how much they can deliver to the people remains to be seen.
Reena Shrestha
Jawalakhel
Informative Story
The information you provided about late Krishna Bahadur Amatya and Nepal’s traditional system of foreign exchange and bullion market is very informative “LATE KRISHNA BAHADUR AMATYA: Pioneer Foreign Exchanger” (SPOTLIGHT February 10). It provided interesting information about how the foreign exchange system worked in Nepal a few decades back. You have also rightly pointed out that such historical places and historical people should be preserved and given due respect.
Tirtha Khadka
Chhetrapati
Rhetoric Proclamation
The King’s proclamation aired from the state owned Radio and Television was only rhetoric, in my opinion, simply aimed at fooling the innocent people “KING’S PROCLAMATION: Stresses His Roadmap” (SPOTLIGHT February 10). While, he says that the country’s situation has largely improved in terms of governance, law and order and democratization in the past one year, it is as clear as daylight that nothing of what he claims has happened. Instead, things have worsened. It is not quite wise to fool the people in twenty-first century. They are much conscious than the people a century ago who believed everything that the rulers said and obeyed them.
Kedar Pradhan
Patan
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