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Informative Story
The cover story this issue about the three trade agreements was very informative “SAFTA, BIMSTEC & WTO: Trade Tangle” (SPOTLIGHT January 13). It provided a detailed information and an shrewd analysis of the pros and cons of the trade agreements. Such stories are essential for the business community at present because at present there is very little awareness about the provisions of the agreements and without knowing about it we cannot benefit much from it.
Siddhartha Neupane
Thankot
Insightful Interview
The interview with speaker Tara Nath Ranabhat was very insightful “If This Constitution Is Scrapped, Nepali Congress Will Be The First Victim” (SPOTLIGHT January 13). As he has said, if we scrap off the present constitution and make a new one through the election of constituent assembly, it is the extremist communist parties that will benefit. It will certainly put democracy and individual freedom at jeopardy. The establishment of an autocratic regime, whether it may be the direct rule of the king or the ‘dictatorship of the proletariat’ as the slogan of the communist manifesto goes, might create peace in the country. But, such a peace where the fundamental rights of the people like right to expression, right to peaceful protest and right to press freedom are abandoned are not desirable in twenty first century. So, the leaders of liberal parties like Nepali Congress, whose base lies on common people with democratic mindset, should not advocate talk about scrapping off the present constitution. In the absence of a liberal constitution like the present one, their very existence might also end.
Narendra Pradhan
Patan
General Elections Is The Solution
I was convinced with the arguments of Tara Nath Ranabhat that the present constitution should not be scrapped off “If This Constitution Is Scrapped, Nepali Congress Will Be The First Victim” (SPOTLIGHT January 13). The present constitution, provided that it functions well, has ample provisions for amendments and has enough room for the outlet of all crises. However, it has not been able to function lately because of the absence of House of Representatives. So, the quickest and safest solution to the present crisis is to hold the general elections to establish the House of Representatives. As the king has promised in several occasions that he is committed to hold the general elections within the next few years, I think, the political parties should cooperate with him and participate in the elections. That is the only way the sovereignty of the Nepali people can be returned to the people.
Hari Khanal
Naya Bazar
Everyone Should Think Of National Interest
The present situation of the country is such that the Maoists are trying to create trouble in the country and the government is trying its best to control it. It is using the security forces, the army as well as the police against the Maoists. However, as the security personnel are not well trained on the issues of human rights and discipline, the general people are suffering. Security personnel do not harass the central leaders of political parties, intellectuals, lawyers and journalists fearing they would protest and create propaganda in the name of human rights and democracy. But, the general public, who seldom have their voice heard have to suffer from the rudeness and indiscipline of the security people. Likewise, the low ranking security personnel, who are deployed in the war, are also suffering. It is very unfair that the leaders as well as the high ranking security officials do not raise voice against the killings and sufferings of the common people and low ranking security personnel. They do not seem to be very courageous. Why can’t they point their finger at the King and say boldly that he is the one who is ultimately responsible for the killings and attacks against innocent lives. I think they lack courage to do so, because they never took the responsibility of the deaths and damages during their reign. Leaders like Girija Prasad Koirala, Madhav Kumar Nepal , Ram Chandra Poudel, Sher Bahadur Deuba and Purna Bahadur Khadka did not take or were not held responsible for the death of more than 10,000 people who were killed in the course of the people’s war during the time they were in government portfolios. Even the human rights activists, who are sternly criticizing the present government, were did not raise strong voices then. Looking at all these activities, it compels me to form the opinion that everyone, whether it may be the human rights activists, intellectuals, journalists, lawyers or political leaders, who all vouch that they are working for the good of the nation and its people at public forums, are but working to fulfill their own vested interests for the short term. Have they ever thought what intellect means to intellectuals; Journalism to Journalists; Law and order to Lawyers; Human rights to rights activists; and politics to politicians? Shouldn’t it all be for the prosperity and development of the country. All these professions are and should be affiliated to politics, but in good spirits, and not as a tool to fulfill their vested interests. They should not think about short term benefits to them individually. Instead, they should think and work for the long term needs of the country. Their profession and their identity survive only if the nation survives.
Gyan Shrestha
Via Email
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