LETTERS (Spotlight Weekly)

Uncontrollable Tears

Today the country is crying — it is crying so bitterly. The tears of the Nepalese people are flowing down the Himalayan glaciers. The news is unbelievable. It will be impossible for the Nepalese people to fully come to terms with the passing away of their beloved king and queen, princes and princess and so many members of the royal family. ("End Of An Era", SPOTLIGHT, June 8). Tremendous grief and fear grip the simple and poor Nepalese people. They have been orphaned at a time when problems are hounding them from all sides.

Ramesh Thapa
Chabahil

A Nation Bereaved

The morning of Saturday, June 2 greeted Nepalis with the horrendous news of the wholesale killing of their beloved monarch and his family ("End Of An Era", SPOTLIGHT, June 8). Never in recent history of the world has such a tragic massacre taken place. For Nepal, already knee-deep in problems of all types, the news of the death of the king and queen has come as a big shock. It will indeed be hard for the Nepalese people to get over this incident. May the departed souls rest in peace.

Harihar KC
Kuleshwor

Grief Taller Than Everest

The Everest seems like a dwarf compared to the height of the grief the country is enduring after the heart-rending royal massacre ("End Of An Era", SPOTLIGHT, June 8). The peace-loving Nepalis had never had to bear such kind of tragedy in their history. The whole country is trembling. The situation is very delicate. It will be an uphill task for the Nepalese people to return to normality. The leaders of all political parties must come together and give a new direction to the country.

Pukar Shrestha
Sanepa

Follow The Path

King Birendra will always be remembered as a good monarch who knew how to deal with the people ("End Of An Era", SPOTLIGHT, June 8). His demise has left a void in Nepal’s politics. The damage caused to the nation is difficult to heal. Even then, the leaders and people should concentrate on the path shown by His late Majesty and work towards pulling the nation out from the present difficult situation.

Binita Sharma
Baneshwor

Big Challenges

The challenges before the new King Gyanendra are difficult, to say the least ("The New Monarch", SPOTLIGHT, June 8). He will have to do everything possible to restore faith in the Nepalese people. The political, economic and social challenges are tremendous. His first royal address did send a positive signal. His vast experience in the field of conservation will come in handy in dealing with the day-to-day affairs of the country. He has shown his willingness to work in a democratic environment. King Gyanendra will now have to make concrete contributions. Going by his experience, there is no reason to despair.

Gopal Basnet
New Baneshwor

The New King

King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev has been crowned at a time the country is passing through the worst phase in its history ("The New Monarch", SPOTLIGHT, June 8). All eyes are now upon him. The new king will have to help his people get out of these troubled times. He has the responsibility to steer the nation toward economic prosperity. The commitment to multiparty democracy and constitutional monarchy he expressed in his first address to the nation as monarch has been appreciated by all. He will now have to work in close cooperation with the elected leaders to safeguard the national interest.

Prakash Sharma
Maitighar

Devastation Day

June 1, 2001 will always be remembered as the darkest day in the history of Nepal ("End Of An Era", SPOTLIGHT, June 8). A sense of disbelief still prevails among the people. They are still to grasp the full implications of the tragedy. A shooting inside the heart of heavily guarded palace was something no Nepali ever imagined could happen. But it has happened and nothing can undo the events. The cruel blow of fate cannot be avoided.

Bhola Bista
Samakhusi