Letters (Spotlight Weekly)

United Steps Needed

With Nepal's political crisis deepening, extremists - both on the right and left - are trying to advance their disastrous vision for the country ("Careening On An Unpredictable Course", SPOTLIGHT, October 11). Unless political parties and the constitutional monarch step in to counter these extremists, democracy and development in Nepal would be plunge into greater jeopardy. United steps are necessary to tackle the current crisis. There can be no other way of securing a bright future for the nation and people.

Raja Babu Dangol
Mangalbazar

Sports Flaws

Nepal's poor showing at the Busan Asiad reflected the sloth that has gripped Nepal Sports Council (NSC). The way our athletes went missing has tarnished the image of the country. We cannot expect our players to perform well amid poor preparation and tight funding. Absconding team members, moreover, can only demoralize players who are intent on doing their country proud. To improve Nepal's performance in international games, the NSC must screen players so that only truly committed and promising people get a place on the teams. There are many talented players waiting for an opportunity to prove themselves. Those with questionable intentions must not be allowed to ruin the image of the country.

Shri Ram Khadka
Kuleshwor

Tourism Woes

Tourism in Nepal is going through its toughest days ("Limping Ahead For Life", SPOTLIGHT, October 4). Since it is the only reliable source of foreign currency and employment, decline in this sector affects the overall economy. The multiple and chain effects of the current crisis are already being felt. A slackening of consumer demand has directly hampered other businesses. Unless prompt and effective corrective measures are taken, Nepal could face Argentina-style bankruptcy very soon.

Kumar Adhikari
Kalimati

Readable Story

After reading your story "Spiritual Soulmates" (SPOTLIGHT, October 4) I felt fully satisfied. The route of peace followed by Sri Lanka, the path of development followed by Thailand and the lessons Nepal should learn have been beautifully shown. Readers always expect such stories in every issue of your magazine.

Hari Bahadur KC
Nagarkot

Ban Tobacco

Oral cancer is growing into one of the major health hazards in Nepal ("Growing Threat", SPOTLIGHT, September 20). Health policy makers must initiate urgent steps toward controlling the situation by, among other things, banning the use of tobacco and pan parag. This should not be very difficult, given that the tobacco industry in Nepal is neither a major sector of employment nor a reliable source of public revenue. The government must rise above petty political considerations to safeguard the health of the people.

Sitaram Pokharel
Baneshwor

False Claim

The Royal Nepalese Army's continuous fight against the Maoist rebels after the expiry of the state of emergency has proved hollow the repeated claims of the Sher Bahadur Deuba government ("Continuous Battle", SPOTLIGHT, October 4). Far from being demoralized or hamstrung, soldiers are fighting the rebels as efficiently as before. This shows that the government's decision to impose the emergency was clearly aimed at curbing the fundamental rights of the people.

Manohar Basnet
Kumaripati

Power Imbalance

The present crisis is neither constitutional nor political; it has to do with power sharing. ("Constitutional or Political?" SPOTLIGHT, September 27). The balance of power established in the present constitution has undergone a major shift. In recent years, much power has shifted from mainstream political parties and the constitutional monarchy to the extremes on the right and left, primarily because of the incompetence of the center.

Mina Subedi
Balaju