Time For United Voice

THE country is going through troubling times in the wake of continued threats from Maoist terrorists who have been making all out attempts to disrupt normal life across the nation. The dastardly acts of the terrorists that have led the nation to face an irreparable loss in different sectors have now been directed at the high school students. The unjustified and irrational call of bandh of the Maoists to disrupt the School Leaving Certificate Examinations beginning from April 2 has been drawing widespread criticism from parents, teachers and general people alike. The so-called bandh of the Maoists coinciding with the SLC exams is the height of irresponsible behaviour, which cannot be pardoned. The time has come for the civil society at large to raise a united voice against the unholy and intimidating actions of the terrorists. The government has assured the general public of its full support to maintain law and order across the country and take to task all those who try to cripple daily life through their inhuman acts. The secretaries in different government ministries met recently to take the necessary measures against any forms of disruptive acts directed at paralysing normal life. The meeting specified the responsibilities of different Ministries to ensure normalcy on the days of the so-called bandh. The routes for picking up the students have been fixed by the Ministry of Education and the security personnel will check the identity cards of students thoroughly to avoid any possible mishap. The Ministry of Labour and Transport Management is to coordinate works for operating long-route buses with security men as guards and for operating taxis, microbuses, minibuses and other means of transport by providing the needed security. Similarly the Health Ministry will oversee works relating to keeping on stand-by ambulances and other vehicles for emergency services which may be required. Besides, the Ministry will also be making the necessary arrangements to make available health personnel at hospitals and health institutions for emergency services. The meeting has also appealed to all human rights activists, different organisations and institutions, different professional bodies and transport entrepreneurs, intellectuals, parents, distinguished individuals and the civil society to contribute from their respective places to ensuring smooth running of SLC exams by foiling the so-called bandh. Now the call of the government must be heeded earnestly if the Maoists are to be discouraged from destabilising the society. When the civil society is united no evil can ever triumph over the selfless motives of parents and teachers to prepare their children for the challenges ahead.

Grow More Vegetables

IN comparison to other neighbouring nations in South Asian region per capita vegetable consumption in Nepal is very low. Barring a few urban centres particularly the capital valley, the majority of the people in the rural areas are not aware about the importance of vegetables for maintaining good health. People, especially in the hilly regions, out of sheer ignorance, do not prefer green vegetables. Due to the scarcity of cultivable land in the hills, they give priority to growing grains for self-sustenance. However, there has been a gradual change in Nepal’s vegetable consumption scene. The health-conscious people who can afford have started taking in more vegetable items in their meal. It is indeed a healthy practice to consume more vegetables that are richly nutritious with vitamins and minerals, which are necessary to remain physically sound. As the adage ‘prevention is better than cure’ goes, it seems wiser to spend a little more on vegetables now than on expensive medical treatment in the event that we fall sick. But the production of vegetables has not increased in the same ratio as their consumption. It is yet to get momentum given the present volume of vegetables imported from other countries, especially neighbouring India. A large amount of vegetables like potatoes, onion, and other seasonal vegetables is imported into the country every year.

As such, commercial vegetable farming has become even more essential. It also can prove to be a fortune-making occupation given the increasing vegetable demand in the domestic market. A large number of people are living a miserable life of stark want despite the government’s efforts to improve their living conditions.This is an opportune time for the poor to uplift their economic status by generating their income through vegetable farming. The initiative taken by the residents of Ranichuri village development committee in Sindhuli district is an inspirational example. They have greatly benefited from vegetable farming that has enabled them to better their living conditions. Apart from raising the living standard of the small farmers, this can make, albeit small, contribution towards reducing unemployment, which till date remains one of the biggest problems in the country. With vegetable supply from within the country, consumers will not only get fresh vegetables everyday, there will be no need to import vegetables from outside as well, thereby saving the scarce foreign exchange reserve.