EDITORIAL

Population Problem

The problem of a rapidly increasing population is a matter of concern for all people. According to statistics, the population of the world has doubled within the last forty years. It is also a fact that such population explosions have taken place more in the developing countries. Nepal has also not been able to escape this trend. The country has seen an alarming growth in its population. If development had taken place in the same ratio as population growth, the problems may have been lesser aggravated. But when development is slow and population growth is rapid, the situation becomes alarming. One reason why family planning has not been too successful here in Nepal, is because of the illiteracy of the people and their unawareness. Naturally, over population has led to other problems like environmental degradation, malnutrition, lack of health and educational facilities and poverty among others. In tackling this problem, concerted efforts from all sectors is required. One sector that can play an instrumental role in creating awareness among the people, is the media. The media can make people aware about the adverse effects of over population by disseminating information and at the same time also caution the government about the different mistakes it may be making while dealing with this problem.

At a national seminar entitled "The role of the mass media in population information dissemination" organised by the Ministry of Population and Environment the other day, experts and administrators quite rightly shared the view that the media and the government should go hand in hand in order to solve the existing population related problems. Like mentioned earlier, over population definitely is the root cause of many other problems, so there is an urgent need to deal with it effectively and it is pragmatic in seeking the help of the media in fulfilling this objective. While inaugurating the seminar, Minister for Population and Environment Bhakta Bahadur Balayar urged the media to maintain pressure on the government regarding population issues and provide constructive suggestions. This is a correct appeal as it has been proved that some family planning programmes have been highly successful just because of proper media usage. It can be hoped that the suggestions forwarded by the present national seminar will also be implemented by the government to tackle this booming problem faced by the nation.

(Editorial in The Rising Nepal, July )

Fruitful Visit

Nepal and Sri Lanka are two of the smaller countries within the SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) framework. However apart from this lone physical similarity, they otherwise are very different from each other. If Nepal is a landlocked nation far up in the Himalayas, Sri Lanka is a sea-locked country down in the Indian Ocean. Quite naturally, from the weather to the produce they have are also very much different. Yet, it is in this diversity that there are many opportunities for the two South Asian nations to cooperate with each other. The two best areas where Nepal and Sri Lanka could benefit by cooperating with each other are the tourism sector and trade.

In the tourism sector both Nepal and Sri Lanka are already well known names. People from all over the world come to enjoy the natural splendour that these two countries have in abundance. However there have been little evidence that anything has been done to promote tourism in the two countries as a package and benefit mutually. This is an area where the governments of the two countries could cooperate and the private sector entrepreneurs seek opportunities.

In this regard, it is sure visits like the one made by Sri Lankan President Chandrika Bandarnaike Kumaratunga to Nepal last week, will contribute in further expanding relations between the two countries. The Sri Lankan President was here for a four day State Visit at the invitation of Their Majesties the King and Queen. For one, this was the first state visit to Nepal by the Sri Lankan President after she assumed office. It is also significant that President Kumaratunga is the Chairperson of SAARC at present.

One important agenda of the Sri Lankan President

during her current visit was her keynote address at the function organised by the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI). The FNCCI is the largest grouping of industrialists and businesspersons of the country. Besides talking of other important issues like globalisation, which the Sri Lankan President described as a "non-reversible and integral part of human progress", she also talked of creating a Preferential Trade Area in the SAARC region. It is significant that while noting the SAARC network has so far proved very helpful in bringing South Asian neighbour together, President Kumaratunga also revealed that she is all for "full liberalisation of travel among our countries".

There is no doubt that if the SAARC nations are to fully cooperate with each other for their mutual benefit, then their attitude amongst each other must be liberal and understanding. There could be political differences between some of the nations, but that shouldn’t stop anybody from developing economic ties. The main enemy of not one country, but of the whole region is the stark poverty that the majority of the people of this area have to live with. If poverty is to be alleviated, then it is necessary for the nations of South Asia to speed up economic development. Considering the vast assets all the countries have, the joint efforts of all would definitely benefit the peoples of the whole region.

With efforts from the government level and also from the private sector, it is sure Nepal and Sri lanka can expand bilateral ties in all sectors, specially trade and tourism. It can be hoped the present State Visit by the Sri Lankan President has opened up avenues for such development to take place.

(Editorial in Sunday Despatch, Sunday, July 10)

Nepal is not smugglers’ country

Despite Nepalese Foreign Minister’s statement, certain sectors have been trying to blow up the issue of the use of Gorkha army in Kargil. If the Kargil issue is analyzed sincerely, it can be understood that the so called nationalists have more interest on Moslem intruders than on the respect and dignity of the Gorkha army. They never expressed their anxiety on country turning into smugglers’ country and a haven for criminals due to increasing smuggling in of fake Indian currency, drug and explosives.

What will be the image of the country as one of a centre of smuggling, international crime and terrorists activities? They never talk about the consequences of such activities on the country’s image. If they speak, they speak in favour of such smugglers and terrorists. It is no secret that their nationalism is more anti-India than pro-Nepal. It has become a matter of great concern to the real nationalists. It is the responsibility of the government revealing such powers that have been protecting smugglers and terrorists. Nepal is not the country of smugglers or supporters of smugglers, but a country of honest people.

(Bishwodeep, Saturday, July 10)