Prosperous Path
It is heartening to note that a road link has been finally established to bring the whole of Karnali region into the national mainstream (“Road To Prosperity” SPOTLIGHT April 27). It was high time that the backward north western zone was linked with transport infrastructure. The road has come as a very special gift to the people of Karnali this new year. Lets hope the hard working people of Karnali will be able to reap benefits from this latest development.
Seema Gurung
Naxal
Karnali’s Dream Come True
The cover story “Road To Prosperity” (SPOTLIGHT April 27) was a rare positive article one got to read in these turbulent times. Thanks to hard efforts by Nepali Army, Surkhet-Jumla road is finally complete. All the people of Nepal share the happiness felt by Karnali residents. The backward region is now integrated with the country’s transport network. It will not be long before other development efforts travel to Karnali via that road. The road is one of the fundamental development infrastructure, which must precede all other kinds of development. People of Karnali are now waiting for regular transport movement in the road so that they, too, can now travel to other parts of the country in a cheap and convenient manner and without having to dole out huge amount of hard-earned money to travel by air.
Jeebesh Thakuri
Kalanki
Relishing Jumla’s Apple
For long, people living in other parts of Nepal had relished continuous supply of much-famed Jumla apples in economical price. With the completion of Surkhet-Jumla road, one hopes that the Jumla apples will now finally be available in Kathmandu’s markets at reasonable rates (“Road To Prosperity” SPOTLIGHT April 27). Farmers of Jumla must seize the opportunity and start producing apples targeting urban population within the country. Given a little help in technical aspects and marketing knowledge, I am sure Jumla people will be able to benefit from the road development.
Susant Bista
Balkhu
What Next?
The planners and policymakers now must quickly move to extract advantages and benefits from the construction of Surkhet-Jumla road (“Road To Prosperity” SPOTLIGHT April 27) in favor of the people of Karnali region. Known as one of the most backward regions in the country, Karnali must now be developed to its full potential. Policies on agriculture, education, health and other socio-economic aspects need to be integrated to unleash a cohesive pattern of development. The uplifting of the people of the region will send a very positive message and also help to consolidate Loktantra.
Somu Tamang
Tinkune
Tourism And Poverty
The article “Tourism for Poverty Alleviation” (SPOTLIGHT April 27) has only stressed the obvious. In the past, Nepalese entrepreneurs and policymakers could not use the tourism potentials in an optimum manner to alleviate poverty. But now they can do so by targeting tourism products and reforming the manner in which resources are allocated, spent and distributed. The old trickle-down system should be reformed so that people will feel direct benefit from tourism. This will go a long way in achieving sustainable tourism in the country.
Deepak Gadtaula
New Baneshwore
No Option, Indeed
The article “No Alternative To Middle Way” (SPOTLIGHT April 27) provided an interesting analysis. No country – Nepal being no exception – can exist amid extremism. Sooner or later, all states have to forego all kinds of extremism – if they want to continue existing in a peaceful and durable manner. Extremism breeds hatred and human beings cannot survive amid perpetual cycles of hatred. It just doesn’t fit with the nature of human beings. The article suggests that the political leaders have no alternative to the middle path. While this may be true in the long term, in short term leadership without foresight can take rash decision of embracing and emboldening the extremists. That is what is happening in present day Nepal.
Krishna Regmi
Dhapasi
