Letters (Spotlight Weekly)

Support Farmers

In the name of liberalization, meaningful state support for Nepalese farmers has become virtually non-existent ("Unstable and Uncertain", SPOTLIGHT, February 14). However, our policy makers ignore the fact that India and the US provide subsidies and other government support to farmers. Because of state neglect, Nepalese farmers are displaced in the market by competitive Indian farmers. The major components for any entrepreneur to succeed - market, factors of production and technology - are out of the Nepalese farmers' control. If Nepal is to raise its agricultural production, it must implement such programs as forcing industries to use domestic agricultural products and discouraging import of Indian agricultural products. That way, the country can secure the agricultural market for Nepalese farmers.

Rakesh Lamichanne
Gongabu

Be The First

Your story "Illegal Deal" (SPOTLIGHT, February 14) showed how easily the Nepalese people can be fooled by international frauds like Gold Quest agents. Had SPOTLIGHT and other publications done stories on the issue before the two promoters were arrested, Nepalese could have saved millions of rupees. The Gold Quest affair mirrors the lack of investigative journalism in SPOTLIGHT. I urge your editorial team to break the news and make each issue more exciting than the last.

Binu Shakya
Mangalbazar

Popularity Tips

I have three suggestions that could help popularize SPOTLIGHT among a wider readership. First, you should include some permanent pages for sports and cinema based on news from around the country. Second, you should include a section for quiz at least once a month and award correct answers. Third, SPOTLIGHT should carry weekly stock movements.

Bishwo Bhatnagar
Birgunj

Premature Focus

Your cover story "Rehabilitation and Reconstruction" (SPOTLIGHT, February 7) reminded me of the Nepalese saying "Lagan Aghiko Pote Ke Kam". When we still do not know whether the peace process will progress smoothly, it would be quite foolish to imagine the state of rehabilitation and reconstruction. Unless the Maoists and the government work toward securing lasting peace, such discussions would be premature.

Manoj Bishwokarma
Bhaktapur

Hidden Sites

The support of the media is critical to revitalizing Nepal's tourism industry. Your story on Koshi Tappu Bird Festival provides a vivid example of how the media can promote destinations hidden from the eyes of tourists and travel agencies ("Wings of Hope" SPOTLIGHT, February 7). Nepal's tourism industry could receive a major boost if more and more media organizations carried such stories.

Purushottam Khatiwada
Biratnagar

Glaring Injustice

In "Ruling Vs. Rhetoric" (SPOTLIGHT, February 7), you have reflected a sentiment that is widespread in Nepal. Many citizens are behind bars because they cannot afford the escalating costs of justice. On the other hand, a few rich people, in spite of being wicked, always evade imprisonment. This has created frustration among poor and innocent Nepalese. The judges should focus their discussions on such injustices instead of making political remarks. A non-political organ of the state must not be turned into a political playground.

Jeenat Sharma
Exhibition Road

Fee Fairness

Increased investment is the first way of promoting quality education ("Compromise With Quality" SPOTLIGHT, January 24). Because of insufficient government funding, Tribhuvan University is compelled to raise fees from students who are already victims of growing inflation and poverty. While setting the fees, TU should be realistic and reasonable. It would be unfortunate for the country if conditions were created where only the rich could have access to higher education.

Shri Ram Dhakal
Gokarna

Developmental Jokes

We always do not need artistes like MAHA duo or Santosh Pant to make a satire. Some times, a development project like Intersections Improvement Project under the grant assistance of Japanese Government currently in its final phase can also serve the purpose. The awareness campaign being run at the improved intersections tell the poor knowledge of Nepalese drivers and the pedestrian. Everybody knows the degree of awareness of the road users in Kathmandu city is overrun by their negligence. In the meantime, all the steering holders very well know what green and red traffic lights mean. Does the project want to tell that driving license is issued in Nepal even without testing the knowledge on traffic rules? Canít it look for some concrete work such as making good the damage done to cable lines of Trolley Bus by the project?

Suraj Poudyal
Koteshwore