Letters (Spotlight Weekly)

Good Story

I was very impressed by the detailed report of the state and issues of the child workers working in stone quarries "CHILDREN WORKING IN STONE QUARRIES: Slipping Through The Cracks (SPOTLIGHT October 15)." It is a gloomy situation that we have here that parents expect children to work to support themselves, their families and their younger siblings once when they are barely ten. I opine that this is due to the poor family planning strategies and lack of awareness. It is an irony that in many parts of the country, parents give birth to children to fulfill the lack of working hands in their family. Isn't that kind thinking obsolete by now?

Sameer Hada
Bhaktapur

Example Of State Apathy

I was very surprised to know that majority of the children working in stone quarries earn less than 20 rupees working for the whole day "CHILDREN WORKING IN STONE QUARRIES: Slipping Through The Cracks (SPOTLIGHT October 15)." I do not advocate against child labor, when parents are unable to support them and they would land in worse situations without work. However, children should be treated justly in work and in society. They should get extra privilege from the employers as they are not fully developed mentally and physically and are in a way ruining their life by working at such tender ages instead of underpaying and harassing them. They cannot speak for their rights does not mean that they can be suppressed. All concerned humans should raise voice against such kind of injustice towards the children.

Neera Thapa
Handi Gaun

Where Is The Money Going?

Apropos your cover story I would like to question the social workers about the impact of the projects they have been launching "CHILDREN WORKING IN STONE QUARRIES: Slipping Through The Cracks (SPOTLIGHT October 15)." We all know that billions of dollars are pouring in the country for the welfare of children through the government as well as through the non-governmental social organizations. They claim to have spent huge bucks for the children. Rehabilitating the working children in hazardous workplaces is one of their priorities. Not that I am questioning on the efforts they are putting in, but I have certainly not seen the results. No matter how much money they claim to have spent, the situation of children is the same if not worse. After where is the money and effort draining? It is a big question to wonder for the people who care for the country's future.

Rabi Dhital
New Baneshwore

Celebrations Brightens Country's Image

One year after celebrating the golden jubilee of the Mount Everest, Nepal Mountaineering Association celebrated the golden jubilee of Mount Cho oyu "MT CHO OYU CELEBRATIONS: A Hope For The Tourism (SPOTLIGHT October 15)". Although the celebration was organized without much preparation, the event got some coverage in the foreign media, which will help to boost the image of the country in the world.

Chet Prasad Khanal
Thamel

Koirala Ought To Resign

Girija Prasad Koirala is a unique man in Nepali Politics "KOIRALA'S APPEARANCE IN COURT: Right to Live With Dignity (SPOTLIGHT October 15)". He is certainly not a mediocre. Not that most of the people like him, but what is true is people who like him like him extremely and those who hate him extremely hate him. However, even those who hate him cannot help praising for his stance. Koirala might be arrogant and nepotistic, but he was capable and has a quality of leadership. However, for the sake of the upcoming party leaders, he has to step down. Otherwise, the next generation of party leaders will never get an opportunity to hone their leadership skills. If Koirala does not think about this in time Nepali Congress' organization might collapse with his demise.

Hari Banskota
Thankot

Continue The Truce

It is a laudable job that the Maoists have done to announce a ceasefire during festivals. While, on the government's side it is condemnable that it did not go a step ahead to continue the cease-fire for a longer period as it had claimed earlier. The Nepali citizens got the chance to celebrate the Dashain festivals happily in their respective villages because of the ceasefire. No news of violence was reported during the period. However, as soon as Dashain ended, news reports have reported that the Maoists as well as the government forces started confrontation in the western part of the country. After a short sigh of relief the Nepali are again intermingled in the maze of bloodshed and violence. All of us need to do something about ending this grim situation once and for all.

Prerana Khadka
Samakhusi