Uplifting The Poor

THE ruling Nepali Congress party fully backed the social and economic reform recently announced by Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba in parliament saying the Prime Minister’s move was in line with the policies and ideals of the party. Both the meetings of the central working committee and the Parliamentary Party of the Nepali Congress was called in Kathmandu the other day to discuss the Prime Minister’s reform package and the developments that took place after the announcement. The party quite rightly supported the move of the Prime Minister as the leaders felt that was an action for uplifting the poor and lower class and transforming the Nepalese society. The reform package includes land reforms, ceiling on land holding, ensuring equal rights to women and development of indigenous and oppressed class of the society. Although the major political forces and people from different walks of life have hailed this decision, some interest groups have opposed the land reform and land ceiling scheme of the government. Prime Minister Deupa and the Nepali Congress have clearly said that the land reform programme was not against anybody and any section but it was for the overall development and progress of the downtrodden. It also aims for a judicious distribution of land, raising productivity in agriculture and ensuring the right of landless to own land. The State has certain responsibilities towards its citizens especially the weaker and poor section of the society and it is encouraging that the government has realised its responsibility towards this section of the populace and initiated a move to uplift their condition. This is no doubt a revolutionary and progressive action, which needs to be honestly and strictly implemented. Prime Minister Deuba has proved that he means business and does not want to pay only lip service to the poor and disadvantaged people. Different political parties made tall and appealing slogans in the past for land reforms, welfare of the poor people and social reforms but they never put their slogans into practice. The nation had been in need of social and economic reforms for a long time in order to transform the society into progress and prosperity. The present government has taken a bold decision to improve the social and economic status of the poor and lower class of people. Protesting against this progressive reform is a regressive attempt to push the country backward. As this reform aims at sustainable development and providing right to development to all the people, all political forces and people need to extend active support to the government for its early implementation.

Tourism Heads For Recovery

IN recent weeks, there has been a surge in the number of tourists visiting Nepal, thanks to the calm and improved law and order situation in the country. The most frequented tourist district of Thamel is showing signs of life, while visitors making the rounds of the heritage sites in and around Kathmandu is now becoming a common sight. While Kathmandu might still not be brimming with tourists, at least it is heartening to note that their numbers are increasing. The number of tourists had dipped suddenly in the aftermath of the tragedy at the Narayanhiti Royal Palace on June 1, the violent activities conducted by the Maoist insurgents and street agitation by different political parties. The bad press that Nepal got in the international media is particularly to blame. But after a brief spell of uncertainty, the government, the private sector and tourism entrepreneurs have begun a campaign abroad to lure tourists. The Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) has just extended its campaign in India to attract Indian tourists who account for more than a third of the visitors coming to Nepal. And in Tokyo, a function was organised by the Nepalese envoy to Japan last week to apprise the media and tourism and travel trade related people of the current situation in Nepal. Addressing the gathering, the envoy made it clear that the concerns and anxieties that followed the tragic incident at the Royal Palace had subsided and an atmosphere of peace and serenity had returned. With the tourist season beginning in about a week’s time, it is imperative that Nepalese embassies in other tourist generating countries, too, carry out such public relation campaigns to instill confidence in the visitors. A number of fairs such as JATA in Japan and the World Tourism Market (WTM) in London are due in a few months’ time. These are excellent opportunities to promote and tap tourists. While the campaigns continue, it is equally important that the tourist destinations are attractive enough for the visitors. Visitors in recent times have been complaining about the muddy streets of Kathmandu and the polluted air impregnated with dust particles. If the Kathmandu Metropolitan Corporation is not in a position to do the job, certainly all the stakeholders, including the NTB, could chip in to buy some equipment. The garbage problem, that is more than a decade old, is still nowhere near to a solution. Bringing in tourists is only half the job. Sending them back with a good impression is more important.