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LETTERS |
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LETTERS |
Costly Conflict Your cover story on Nepalese children
caught in conflict brought to the fore an issue that has largely been ignored by the media
and society ("Dangers Of Changing Behavior", SPOTLIGHT, November 29). We all say
today's children are the pillars of tomorrow but, unfortunately, pay little attention to
their problems and aspirations. Our children are growing up in a hostile environment that
could have far-reaching effects on their mind-set. Sustained exposure to violence as
victims or witnesses could make them vengeful and destructive. If we fail to reach out to
such children through proper rehabilitation programs and psychological treatment, our
future would be doomed. Punam Sigdel Ruthless Route The Maoist-affiliated students' call for a
fresh strike in the country's educational institutions has come as another blow to a
sector that has been mercilessly battered over the last few years ("Deepening
Uncertainty", SPOTLIGHT, November 29). The bombs set off inside schools, Board of
Higher Secondary Education and Tribhuvan University, among other places, last week were
acts of ruthlessness carried out in the name of students. Such outrages are doubly tragic
for students who find education becoming increasingly unaffordable and inaccessible. The
agitators must understand that their demands cannot be fulfilled through the destruction
of expensive educational materials and the squandering of precious time. Raj Kumar Rai Prevention Plan Nepal is spending a huge portion of its
resources to curb diseases like tuberculosis ("Regional Approach", SPOTLIGHT,
November 22). Malnutrition and smoking are also the leading cause of lung, throat and
tongue cancer. Instead of spending heavily on curing such diseases, why don't our decision
makers step forward to convert the tobacco and liquor industries into some productive
ventures that could enhance our gross domestic product? Why don't they restrict the import
of such harmful products? If officials are attracted by the revenue these products bring,
then they cannot be called the people's servants. Bina Basnet Illogical Reasoning I was amused by Minister for Women,
Children and Social Welfare Gore Bahadur Khapangi's comments on the possibility of talks
with the Maoists (Encounter, SPOTLIGHT, November 15). "The Maoists can send their
official letter to Singha Durbar," he says. But would that be logical? Wouldn't
security officials arrest the bearers of the letter, especially at a time when the state
has labeled the Maoists terrorists? Before taking any step toward talks with the Maoists,
the government must withdraw the terrorist tag and the bounty on the heads of key leaders.
Furthermore, officials must be prepared to announce a unilateral cease-fire. Naresh Awale Wrong Man Girija Prasad Koirala is responsible not
only for restoring democracy but also for distorting it, which is why I disagree with your
conclusion ("Right Man In Wrong Place", SPOTLIGHT, November 1). Instead, I would
say Koirala is the wrong man in the right place. The position he gained during these 12
years of democracy was created by leaders like him. If he was the right man in the wrong
place, like you say, he would have changed that place into a right one. Sahishnu Gurung Regional Rivalries Abundance of resources, a large market and
diversified sector of production are the key features of South Asia's economy
("Promoting Regional Trade", SPOTLIGHT, November 1). Despite these boons, the
region remains one of the world's most backward. Mismanagement of conflict, failure in
reducing poverty, and political misunderstanding among nations are the major reasons
behind South Asia's backwardness. Had these countries been able to trust in one another
and understand their common problems, the region would have been a far different place.
Unless South Asian leaders muster the courage to rise above personal interests, regional
trade will remain a distant promise. Pukar Sharma Road Rules Most of the road accidents in Kathmandu
occur at cross-roads and roundabouts ("No Light Matter", SPOTLIGHT, November
15). It is, therefore, essential to improve these places. Fortunately, the Japanese
government has helped us to improve 10 intersections of the capital. But the ultimate
success of this project would rest on the support of the people. Unless the capital's
residents adhere to the traffic rules and do whatever they can to protect these
installations during strikes, road safety can hardly be expected to improve. Manohar Sunuwar Which Way? Nepal still cannot determine whether it
would follow capitalism, socialism or the way shown by the World Trade Organization, World
Bank and the International Monetary Fund. Different factions within parties have their own
views. National consensus on such an important matter is becoming all the more elusive. If
the government is guided by socialism, why is it moving headlong toward privatization of
state-owned enterprises? If capitalism is the way forward, why are leaders selling sweet
dreams of socialism to poor and uneducated Nepalese? Bijay Gautam |
Send your feedback to the
editor: spotligh@mos.com.np |
