Relevant Ideals

PRIME Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba said that it is imperative for all to move ahead by abiding the constitution, upholding and respecting the democratic norms and values in order to consolidate democracy, which was established in the country through the sacrifice of the martyrs. Addressing a colloquium, organised by the Nepali Congress in Kathmandu, the other day, on the occasion of 87th birth anniversary of the supreme leader of the Nepali Congress Ganesh Man Singh, Prime Minister Deuba said that one needs to strictly follow the ideals of late Ganesh Man Singh, who sacrificed all his life for the cause of the nation, people and democracy. In fact, Singh is the source of inspiration for all democracy loving people in Nepal. At a time when the country and democracy are facing problems and threat from various quarters, late Singh’s simplicity, clean image and unfettering commitment towards democracy, human rights and open society serve as guidelines for all to tackle the present problems and further consolidate democratic polity. At the country is already suffering from poverty, ignorance, disease and backwardness, the government has initiated various programmes for eradicating poverty and uplifting social and economic condition of the people. However, these efforts were badly affected by violence and terror perpetrated by the Nepal Communist Party (Maoist) in different parts of the country in the name of "people’s war". The global experiences have proved that violence and terror have never brought about positive changes in any society or country. Sustainable social and economic development is possible only in an atmosphere of peace and stability. Thus, peace is a must if we are, at all, serious about bringing about positive changes thereby development in the country. Late Singh always championed for peace and democracy. It was his firm belief that democracy can flourish only in peace. At the same time, genuine peace can be maintained and promoted only in a democratic atmosphere and set up. Another important aspect that late Singh unrelentlessly worked for was the clean and transparent image. Pervasive corruption has badly affected our society. Politicians and those who hold public position must maintain a clean image and give good governance to the nation. Late Singh’s ideals are equally relevant in the present context and we need to follow them if we are serious in our efforts to safeguard and promote democracy to accelerate the social and economic pace of development in the country.

Dharan’s Water Problem

THE residents of Dharan Municipality, as per a news item carried by this daily recently, are being compelled to use polluted water for drinking and other purposes due to the unavailability of potable water. According to the results of a survey conducted by some researchers, the water being distributed by the Drinking Water Supply office in Dharan contains about 40 per cent pollutants. If this is the truth then it looks to reason for the concerned authorities to quickly delve into the reasons as to why Dharan Municipality residents are supplied with such heavily polluted water for drinking purpose. For, to allow the existing situation to continue would be akin to knowingly exposing the residents there to water-borne diseases. Since Dharan Municipality derives a major portion of its potable water from two rivers, the Shardu and Bhalu Kholas, then either the two water catchment areas are being polluted by human activities or that the concerned authorities have yet to install the necessary equipment needed to treat and purify the water piped from the two rivers. Or, for that matter, even both.

Dharan Municipality is a classic case of a small backwater settlement burgeoning into a sprawling town. And, in the process, falling short to meet its teeming residents’ need for civic amenities, including drinking water. Before Dharan became a municipality, it was a small settlement that derived most its revenue from the salaries and pensions disbursed by British Gurkha recruiting cantonment located there. Largely settled by those working inside the cantonment and by ex-servicemen, most of Dharan’s income and civic amenities came from the recruiting camp. It was given a severe economic jolt by the withdrawal of the recruiting camp. Initially given up by many as a ghost-town in the making, its continued growth is a testimony to the residents’ resourcefulness. Yet, going by the inability of the Dharan Municipality and the local drinking water supply office to provide potable water to its residents, it so seems they have yet to come up with initiatives to upgrade the drinking water infrastructure built and left behind by the recruiting cantonment. That the need to search for more water catchment areas to provide safe and adequate drinking water to the municipality residents is well known to all by now. Hopefully, while constructing new drinking water supply plants and infrastructure, they will also include better water treatment facilities too.