Letters (Spotlight Weekly)

Insecure Economy

The cover story ‘Stung by Insecurity’ (SPOTLIGHT, September 26) gives an overview of the current economic situation of our country. It is merely a daydream to meet the targets of this fiscal year when the country is embroiled in political turmoil. The country had witnessed the wreck of many fiscal year plans even during the best of times. Many good plans and budgets ended without bearing any fruit due to lack of proper implementation. These are not new things in the country. It is interesting to know that the growing unemployment has fueled the insurgency and the insurgency is worsening the economy to breed the idle youth population. It is the duty of the government to get hold of the uncontrolled situation of the state. There is no sense to express words of dismay over the deteriorating situation. Peace and security are the basic requirements for progress. No one can deny this fact. The government is ultimately accountable to institute the proceedings to ameliorate the situation.

Nabin Bista
Samakhushi

Gloomy Picture

If the situation does not improve, the economy of the country could turn insolvent (“Stung by Insecurity” SPOTLIGHT, September 26). It was difficult to utilize the allocated budget without the elected local bodies. Besides, a number of VDCs were not even able to avail themselves of the allocated fund in previous years in Maoist-infested areas. The drop in foreign investment and unwillingness of the donor agents further crippled the deficit budget.

Bidur Gurung
Manbhawan

Bandh Culture

I enjoyed the story ‘Pain for Poor’ (SPOTLIGHT, September 26). Nepal Bandh is in vogue these days. All major political parties have announced Bandhs. But I doubt they understand the implication of strikes. Because the country is agricultural, the effect of such Bandh is not felt in villages. But in cities, it cripples the lives of the daily wage earners. These days Nepal Bandhs are observed more like a national celebration. Except the laborers that make their livelihood on daily wages and the patients, others do not suffer much. Why worry about Bandh? It has never been an issue of discussion among intelligentsia. It is not the job of the government to take heed of the voice of opposition. The loss of one billion rupees per day is really a minimal amount. The amount could be loftier in any industrial countries.

Krishna KC
Koteshwore

Trans-himalayan relations

Probably it could be the formidable boundary of snow clad mountain range and closed door policy that we could not retain age-old relation with Tibet. But we need to think about the prospect of business with Tibet once again (“Bound by History” SPOTLIGHT, September 26). The transformation of China gradually towards liberalized society can also open the avenues to carry on trading with this region. Nepal has to seek for other ways to connect Tibet since it could be a big market for Nepali products. Chinese products have already carved their place in Nepalese market relieving the customers from buying expensive imported goods from other parts of the world.

Hitman Baidya
Ason

Speaking Our Hearts

Well said. I appreciate your perspective in "Whose war is it anyway? (SPOTLIGHT, September 26). What Mr. Bipin Adhikari says here is in every hearts and minds of Nepali across the globe. You are right in saying that there are too many spineless professional leaders, politicians and analysts in Nepal feeding the public with false information. It is not only in the case of ceasefire between Communist Party of Nepal and the government but in almost every crucial event, they are not transparent with public. Why on earth are they thick skinned? If they can't give leadership, I would rather suggest them to get out. Another leader will replace the gap. Though we are little aware of the nature of Nepal government we still need to spread the concern.

Tara Rana
Via email

Good Article

The article “Whose war is it anyway?” (SPOTLIGHT, September 26) needs to be commended. Next steps for Mr. Bipin Adhikari, the writer, could be to share this with wider Nepali public including politicos, bureaucrats, civil society through Nepali translation and publication in vernacular newspapers.

Shiva Gurung
Via email

Rising Concerns

The responses from the outside world to the breakdown of ceasefire are natural (“International Concern” SPOTLIGHT, September 19). There is no reason to get frightened with these responses. It is not interference in internal affairs. It is what the common response can be after the event. Most of the time when we fail to settle our own problem we make an excuse and point at foreign hand. There is no intrigue behind it. If this is our problem and we want to settle it between us what prevents us from resolving it?

Sunita Khadka
Tahachal