Letters (Spotlight Weekly)

Gloomy Situation

Your cover story showed the situation of the girls trafficked and rescued clearly “RESCUED GIRLS: Shattered Hopes (SPOTLIGHT July 9)”. Undoubtedly their situation is heart-rending. The situation has worsened because of the raging conflict in the country, lately. Thousands of youths have been driven out from their villages due to the insurgency. It is a very sad thing that despite the extent of the problem, the concerned agencies show very less attention towards resolving the problem.

Radha Aryal
Hanuman Dhoka

Create More Opportunities

The situation of the girls who are rescued from Indian brothels is undoubtedly very depressing “RESCUED GIRLS: Shattered Hopes (SPOTLIGHT July 9)”. While it can be argued that they are in a better position than their counterparts still at the captivity of the brothels, mental burden on these rescued girls is even more. They constantly have to face the social stigma and are more prone to depression. In order to give them some relief it is necessary to involve them in some creative work most of the time. So, there is a need of creating more opportunities which will engage them on one hand, and on the other with the passage of the time, they can feel that they are also a part of the society.

Hari Shrestha
Thamel.

Prevention Is Better Than Cure

Apropos to your cover story “RESCUED GIRLS: Shattered Hopes (SPOTLIGHT July 9)” I would like to emphasize on the need of raising awareness among the local folks to prevent the girls from being trafficked. While it is important to work for the rescue and rehabilitation of the trafficked girls, it is more important to stop other girls from being trafficked. The government and the concerned agencies should put special effort in education and campaign for awareness raising among the people who are prone to such trafficking. In addition, it is the responsibility of all concerned citizens of the country to do our part for the reduction of the problem.

Anupam Sharma
Bhaktapur

Give Subsidies

Your story on delayed monsoon “MONSOON: Delayed Showers (SPOTLIGHT July 9)” gave some hint on the situation of the majority farmers of this country. Looking at the geographical situation of the country and the national policy towards agriculture, there is every reason for the farmers to panic when the nature turns hostile to them. The first thing is they do not have a security. Unlike in other professions, their output depends largely on natural conditions, which are beyond their control. To protect the farmers from such condition the government should give them subsidies in fertilizers and other things. Likewise, the government should also assure and provide them relief when unanticipated natural calamities leave them short of food.

Saroj Kharel
Lazimpat

Well Written

I read the article by speaker Taranath Ranabhat “Flexibility and Accommodation: The Only Way to Peace (SPOTLIGHT July 9)”. The present situation of the country and the post October 4 political scenario has been well analyzed. However, what always strikes my mind is why are these politicians always so good in expression –whether in writing or giving speeches, but mostly on the contrary in conducts. Had all the politicians acted as they expressed, would we have to face this situation now?

Kamal Khanal
Pulchowk.

Dialogues Needed

Finally Prime Minister Deuba has been able to form what he claims to be an all-party government including most of the major political parties of the country “CABINET FORMATION: Mixed Bag (SPOTLIGHT July 9)”. Although, the formation of the cabinet proved to be a Herculean task to the Prime Minister, his ability to assemble the parties is laudable. He has to now spend no time in announcing a unilateral cease-fire and hold talks with the Maoists. In fact, co-incidentally though, he is the one to be the most involved to the Maoist related government activities. The Maoists announced the peoples’ war when their 42 point demand was not addressed in 1996, when Deuba was the Prime Minister. The first ceasefire and the subsequent talks with the Maoists were also held during the second Prime Ministership of Deuba. On the failure of the talks, the Maoists were declared terrorists for the first time and the first ever state of emergency was also announced during his tenure. All these show that Deuba has a lot of ‘experience’ in dealing with the Maoists. He has now become the Prime Minister for the third time and should use all his experiences and learn lessons from the mistakes of the past to hold a successful talk with the Maoists and restore peace in the country.

Chet Bahadur Thapa
Baneshwore

Insightful Article

The article “Constituent Assembly: International Experience” (SPOTLIGHT July 2) by Lalit Bahadur Basnet provided interesting examples about the constituent assembly elsewhere. The article was particularly relevant given the high voltage drama of constituent assembly unfolding in Nepal at present. From the Maoists to so-called intellectuals and from civil society representatives to peace-mongers, everybody is clamoring for constituent assembly. Nepali people are being misled by them and are made to believe that constituent assembly is the solution of all of their problems. Gradually, even the political parties are making noises about the need of the assembly. However, none of them have convinced the people how it is going to solve the country’s problem? As such, Basnet’s article can be an eye-opener to expose that constituent assembly is not a wonder drug that can cure all kinds of problems facing the country.

Nirmal Bista
Old Baneshwore

Good Interview

I am pleased to read your magazine of July 2 issue. I am much impressed with the views and concepts as expressed by Dr. Shashanka Koirala in his interview. I like to express my sincere wishes to Dr. Koirala to keep up his constructive and creative ideologies. As a reader, I wish to see such thought- provoking materials that is worth reading in your forthcoming issues. I also congratulate both Mr. K. Poudel and Mr. S. Dhakal for their nice presentation.

Dhruba N. Manandhar
Thamel, Golkopakha