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Kathmandu,Wednesday February 23, 2000 Fagun 11, 2056.
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Unsafe haven or just mishaps?
This is in reference to the article "Unsafe haven for honeymoon" by
Binita Joshi on the last Sunday’s supplement issue. Due to the misleading and
exaggerated news by the Indian news media during the unfortunate hijacking of the Indian
Airlines aircraft recently, we are already facing a huge loss in our tourism business. The
Indian Airlines has not yet resumed its flights to Kathmandu, citing "security
lapses" at the Kathmandu airport.
And now this patch write-up by Ms Joshi comes to further jeopardize the flow
of tourists here, especially those who come here for enjoying the country’s scenic
beauty and adventures such as trekking, mountaineering, rafting, safari etc. It would be
like adding fuel to an already burning fire. Accidents do occur in all parts of the world
and it is sad that all these three unfortunate incidents happened to honeymooners.
After reading the article it seemed that it was a sheer carelessness on the
part of the guest also. They should have avoided going to the middle of the river as it is
known that rivers are infested with many dangerous creatures not only crocodiles.
Secondly, regarding the drowning of the lady called Delight, she should have worn a life
jacket or should have taken precautionary measures as the rafting guides must have briefed
her about the dangers involved. Thirdly, even that hijack victim who lost his life might
not have encountered the misfortune if he had only listed or obeyed the call of the
hijackers (which was to all passengers, indeed) to be blindfolded and be quiet. Do all
these mishappenings and tragedies have anything to do with Nepal? Are they not simply some
sad moments of our lives, which can occur with anybody? Many Nepalese die in foreign
lands, could we also label those countries as jinx and stop Nepalese going abroad for
overseas employment? Ms Joshi sounds very selfish by saying she did not have the strength
to endure and mourn over her beloved one’s death and dooming disaster. I would like
to ask who in the world has the strength? But still, deaths do occur and nobody knows
where, how and who would be the next. It is a universal truth which cannot be denied.
Norbu Thsering Sherpa
Thamel, Kathmandu |
