Saleable issues

Gender issues are saleable these days. Some have made them their professional mantras, and some have used them as a begging bowl. While the hundreds of thousands of Nepali women sweat and toil for a livelihood in miserable conditions with no social and economic securities, the so-called women rights activities in the urban areas use the plight of women in rural areas to pump dollars into the country, which in most cases go into their own pockets. Though some commendable efforts have been made by a few I/NGOs, they are far from enough. Recently, the Kills couple gave donations to Maiti Nepal, an NGO, to help them fight against girl-trafficking, and for rehabilitating those once sold into prostitution. It is to be hoped that the organisation utilises the monetary assistance well for the welfare of women.

Rama Parajuli
Gaushala, Kathmandu

We are Nepalis, too

I would like to thank Suman Pradhan for his article entitled "Riding into the sunset, forever" - a tribute to the late Gajendra Narayan Niddi, President of Nepal Sadbhawana Party. I think it is the first time that an intellectual has written an article without any trace of prejudice against the Madhises (Terai people in Nepal). Pradhan has distinguished Madhises from Biharis (Indian people) without bringing them under the same umbrella term- Bihari Bhaiyas. Hopefully, some of the educated yet highly biased people will change their attitudes towards the Madhises who are very much Nepali in blood and heart.

Sumitra Saha
New Baneshwar, Kathmandu