Letters (Spotlight Weekly)

Economic Core

There are many problems in the country such as the Maoist insurgency, poverty, poor health, rampant illiteracy and so on. But all these are related to the state of the nation's economy ("At The Crossroads", SPOTLIGHT, March 7). If we could improve the economy, most of these problems would be solved automatically. The whole focus of the country should be concentrated on improving the economy. The media, too, should give greater attention to economic stories, rather than spoon-feeding the people with political rhetoric.

Krishna Dhoj Karki
Sanepa

Export Slump

The pathetic state of our exports has resulted in widespread unemployment ("At The Crossroads", SPOTLIGHT, March 7). The garments, carpets, pashmina industries, among others, have been hit hard in recent years. Hundreds of thousands of workers have been laid off. Some of these unemployed youths have gone overseas for work. Many, however, are languishing in the countryside, offering themselves as easy prey to elements like the Maoists who have sold them big dreams and recruited them in their guerrilla force. So, the government needs to take important steps to address this problem.

Nabin Gurung
Ghattekula

Enforce Rules

Your cover story on motorcycles riders ("Rolling On Wheels Of Misfortune", SPOTLIGHT, February 28) has pointed out several advantages of using the helmet. It is interesting to know that cases of head injuries have fallen after the implementation of double-helmet rule. After reading your story, however, I realized that the new rule alone cannot reduce the numbers of accident. You should have concentrated on other solutions to ensure road safety. Effective implementation of rules, nevertheless, is central to averting accidents and motorcycle riders have an important role to play.

Binita Pandey
B.A Second Year, Journalism Department
Ratna Rajya Laxmi Campus
Kathmandu

Pruned Point

Comrade Prachanda's message on the seventh anniversary of the "people's war" (Newsnotes, SPOTLIGHT, February 14) should have been dealt with in a more elaborated form. The future of the cease-fire and government-Maoist peace talks is an issue of major concern for the Nepalese people and foreign observers. SPOTLIGHT should have run its own analysis of the Maoist leader's comments, instead of excerpting them from another publication.

Sabina Pradhan
Gongabu

Peace Pressure

Your story "Peace Talks in Limbo" (SPOTLIGHT, February 14) provided a clear picture of the peace talks and cease-fire. The Maoists are left with no alternative to dialogue. On the one hand, they are under pressure from the American government, which has warned of including the organization on the list of international terrorists. On the other hand, they would lose credibility within the country if they pulled out of the peace process. The support shown by India and China is praiseworthy. The government must avoid unnecessary excuses and start formal peace talks as soon as possible.

Pabindra Raj Bhandari
Maitidevi

Inspiring Story

"Festive Colors" (SPOTLIGHT, February 14) was quite an inspiration to the world of Nepalese art and culture. The artist, too, got an opportunity to display his talent. You should continue carrying such inspiring stories.

Mamata Sharma
Samakhusi

Blinkered View

With reference to your interview with Bharat Keshar Simha (SPOTLIGHT, February 28), the general declares Hindus "peaceful" and "tolerant," yet pretends that the decades of sectarian violence that culminated in the Gujarat murders of many innocent Muslims did not occur. While lashing out at Christians and Muslims, he defends the Hindu caste system that has brought poverty, sickness and misery to hundreds of millions, blind to their suffering. He praises the ruling elite, ignoring their refusal to recognize the faith of arguably the majority of Nepalese - Buddhism - and denying them access to the opportunities high-caste Hindus have monopolized. General Simha ends up proving the points of Hinduism's critics who decry its lack of concern with interpersonal ethics and social justice, its intolerance and marginalization of those whose understanding of God differs, and the corrupt, impoverished and violent societies left in their wake. There are many kind, honest and fair-minded Hindus, but we have to guard against those who wish only to perpetuate the social pathologies inherent in an elitist worldview they pass off as the true and holy faith.

Ramesh Burathoki
Jumla