Heading???

Ref. is made to the cartoon on the Quote- Unquote page Caption reading "We are in the losing trail, we need your catwalk in our constituency". The cartoon which is drawn is very vulgar and degrading to the dignity of women. It gives a wrong impression about the women's role in election campaigning. If this cartoon relates to Manisha's campaigning,it is very wrongly interpreted. Please do not forget that besides being a film actress she is the daughter of Mr. Prakash Koirala and grand daughter of the veteran leader Late Shri B.P. Koirala. Women contribute to the half population of this country so please take care of not depicting women in such degrading manner.

Sonali Regmi
Kathmandu

Beware of HIV

With the emergence of HIV as a major problem, Nepal has to work out plans to contain it. As a country sharing open border with India, one cannot rule out the possibility of major outbreak of HIV-related disease in the country (Spotlight, December 10-16). I agree with your story that some steps must be taken to prevent spread of disease from urban to rural areas. After reading the story, I realized that the policy makers are not serious about HIV menace. As a disease of far reaching consequences, it is better for the country to adopt preventive policy.

Sudip Pathak
Kalimati

Keep Up Spirit

I am very happy to say that Spotlight has found an identity now as a mainstream newsmagazine. Although you have been covering different social and political issues in your magazine, there are still many areas to be covered. Science and technology, women and development are some of them. I hope you will cover more such issues in your forthcoming issues. Keep it up.

Ghana Shayam Thakur
New Baneshwor

Rising HIV Problem

It was really interesting to read your cover story on HIV\AIDS related problems in your magazine. I agree with you that HIV is emerging as a major threat to the people of younger generation. If we cannot take immediate steps, the country would have to face very serious consequences. I am very happy that Spotlight brought this important issue in front of public and policy makers.

Dhana Bhattarai
Chabahil

Our compliment on your consistently liberal and progressive attitude. Among other things, we enjoy reading this week's cover story on HIV\AIDS. It is quite interesting to read critical but objective analysis on the killer virus. In all issues, I find your editorial policy liberal and objective. The cover story on HIV has proved that your magazine is truely representative to the people.

Janak Chaulagain
Dhulikhel

Given the tone and language of your article on HIV\AIDS and the fact that your reporter included the links between spread of HIV in youths through the use of drug is quite remarkable. It shows that Spotlight is making hard efforts to establish itself as a popular magazine. But I was disappointed to find less coverage given to the plight of people living with the HIV/AIDS. Please also try to give them forum since it is the duty of the media to give voice to the voiceless.

Jasmine Rana
Jawalkhel

Higer education Lower quality

Your article on higher education typifies the problems that afflicts our policy makers and planners- lack of dedication and commitment toward education system (December 3-9,1999). It's clear that our higher education system is grossly neglected by the policy makers. I think this is an appropriate time to reconsider investments in the higher education sector. If it fails to bring changes, what is the rationale in spending millions of rupees every year on this sector.

Pradyumna Shrestha
Kopundole

It is very unfortunate to say that our policy makers and planners are totally ignoring the importance of higher education for all-round development of the country. Nepal's higher education system is now in troubled waters. At a time when all countries are making efforts to improve the quality of higher education, our policy makers seem to be unaware about the situation. Time has come now to do something to improve the quality of education.

Dhurba Sanjel
Ghattekulo

It was very interesting to read the story on World Trade Organization (November 26- December 2). Your story has dealt different aspects of the World Trade Organization. I think there are many issues that still need to be highlighted. I would like to request you to do follow-up on the recently held Seattle ministerial conference of the WTO and its likely impact on the least developed countries like Nepal.

Shanker Ghimire
Pokhara