July 14, 2006

Yes, it is very narrow-minded to view Qinghai- Tibet railway as a security threat to India by the Tibetan refugees and to demonstrate against it. “Opportunities and Challenges” (July 7). It is rather an open and co-operative door for the economic prosperity of the two countries and as a Nepali, I also feel happy that in near future railway is going to be extended from Lhasa to the border area in Southern Tibet including to the borders of Nepal. It will definitely lead Nepalese to the economic prosperity.

Puspha Kheral
Hattiban

Good News For Nepal

The opening up of Qinghai-Tibet railway is a good news for Nepal (“Opportunities and Challenges”, July 7). Since it joins the mainland China with Tibet area through railway link, it has the potential of drastically transforming the outlook and development of Tibet, which neighbors Nepal. As Chinese leaders have been saying that they would now build railway link up to southern Tibet and even up to its borders with Nepal, there are enough reasons for rejoice. However, Nepal would need to quickly take necessary steps to take advantage of the coming developmental revolution. It needs to build its infrastructure, communication, policy regimes as well as human resources in order to be able to take advantage of the situation.

Kiran Bista
Sanepa

Understand Situation

We all accept that Prime minister Girija Prashad Koirala is the one who has succeeded to gain the confidence of rebel Maoists and led towards the first step of peace in the country. However, it is very ridiculous to postpone vital concerns of nation because of his poor health (Issue of Concern, July 7) because country needs stability as soon as possible. The issue raised by Madhav Kumar Nepal, general secretary of UML a few days ago, is quite genuine as he talked about transferring responsibilities of the Prime minister to another responsible person. Because country can’t stop its progress because of a single person. Therefore, it is better to work as suggested by Madhav Kumar Nepal to move the country ahead smoothly.

Atul Maharjan
Patan

Be optimistic

India should break down its old mind set about China as a threat to Indian security. Because with the opening of the railways there has opened a great trade way and chance for development and prosperity for the both countries. Moreover, they should utilize this opportunity because there is a phrase that a pessimist can only complain about the noise when opportunity knocks but an optimist seizes the opportunity at right time and succeeds.

Harihar Moktan
Lalitpur

Is it possible?

Experience has taught us that it is very easy to say the upcoming budget will be more focused on villages but when it comes to implementation process, it is quite tough (“Eyes On Village” July7) In the absence of the peoples’ representatives in villages and lack of budgetary support by other countries except India, it seems very hard for Dr Ram Sharan Mahat to fulfill his promises.

Dina Nath Rayamajhi
Pulchowk

Be Committed

Instead of tempting the rural people by using good words, I think Dr Ram Sharan Mahat should show his commitments by doing or implementing his words into action (Eyes On Village, July7) People no longer want to listen to any stupid speech or promise because in the past they have already listened to enough of them. Now, they need commitment and you cannot make people fool repeatedly by only providing them lovely speeches.

Sarada Lamsal
Tinkune

Keep Promise

Every time a finance minister prepares a budget, he promises to help rural areas. But these promises are never kept (Eyes on Village, July 7). The current Finance Minister Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat has had the opportunity to present budget a number of times in the past. Although he is credited for ushering in the era of liberalization in the country after the restoration of democracy in 1990, he has not been able to guide the country towards all-round prosperity. Circumstances have given him another chance now. It is high time Dr. Mahat made the full use of his ministerial capacity to help the teeming millions of rural population who are suffering from poverty and misery. If he succeeds to help those people, his lifetime career as a politician and economist will have been put to good use. Otherwise, there is no sense is just rambling about helping the poor.

Keshav Gautam
New Baneshwore

Politicians Be Strength of Nation

Until and unless the political system is not made stable, other sectors of society are not going to be well groomed and economy of the country is not an exception. For the economic prosperity, politicians must realize that they need to sacrifice and they should not be weakness but strength of the country.

Grishma Tuladhar
Bagbazar

Ensure Service Delivery

It is necessary for the political parties to manage the local bodies in the rural areas as well as cities because in their absence, the daily problems faced by local people cannot be solved. I support the thought given by Krishna Man Pradhan (July 7). Moreover, it is necessary because the implementation of the budget is only possible because services can be delivered to the people of the villages and cities only if there are representation of people in all areas.

Sapana Tiwari
Thankot