Letters (Spotlight Weekly)

Save Identity

The cover story about festivals portrayed the transformation of Nepalese culture "FESTIVALS: Changing With The Pace (SPOTLIGHT September 3)." Not that the Nepalese festivals are being forgotten, but what is for sure is that there has been a lot of invasion culturally in the recent years. Probably due to more exposure to the world with the improved communication system, Nepalese are more at ease now to celebrate Christmas and Valentine's Day among others, which have no connection to their religion and tradition. If people do not see a difference in what is their authentic culture and what is not, there might come a time when the identity of Nepalese will be in jeopardy.

Shreeya Basnet
Colorado, USA.

Too Many Festivals

One reason why most of the festivals of Nepal are being forgotten and limited to formality could be the fact that there are too many festivals "FESTIVALS: Changing With The Pace (SPOTLIGHT September 3)." The system might have been fine in earlier days when the pace of lives used to be slower, but no more. With the changing world our culture and tradition also needs to evolve. At times when there is virtually no free time for people, they find it hard to take time out of their busy schedule to celebrate festivals. The festivals have their places, but they need to be modified in such a way that they do not disturb the regular activities.

Sashi Khadka
Anam Nagar

Need For Introspection

The brutal killing of innocent Nepalese hostages in Iraq has revealed a lot on how the world views us; we are not even considered human. Even Aaj Tak from India threw journalistic ethics to the winds to broadcast the killings. Do they dare show the beheadings of Westerners? Is it a general South Asian culture to be servile to Westerners and trample on ourselves? Same double standards were apparent in the hijacking incident, after which the Indians suspended their flights. Did they suspend their flights to Canada when their plane was blown off the sky soon after take off? We have ourselves to blame for this contradiction. Remember the Hrithik Roshan incidence when mobs took to the streets, killing each other, because! an Indian cine hunk said something about us. Unable to stand up to the world, we have developed a masochistic psyche. The security forces are made busy for nothing, leaving whole villages to be raped by dacoits from across the border. We have no self-respect, slit the throat and kill hapless people in front of family members, and expect the world to respect us. Where were the so-called leaders when the Capital was burning? Is it not their responsibility to try to quell the violence? They came out of their hiding holes to shed crocodile tears only after the perpetrators were tired and had gone home. They are the ones who have fostered this culture of violence and anarchy.

Shukra Raj Acharya
Kirtipur

Open The Industries

At a time when the nation's economy is already ailing the closure of the industries has added fuel to the fire "CLOSURE OF INDUSTRIES: Bleeding The Economy (SPOTLIGHT September 3)". Thousands of people have become unemployed. The opportunity of employment is not easily available at other places. The Maoist-affiliated trade union which has called for the closure of the industries need to withdraw their call for these helpless workers if not for their owners if they really care for the welfare of the peasants like themselves. The Maoists condemn the state for failing to provide employment opportunities to Nepalese youths. And how do they respond to this issue? They close down the existing industries rendering thousands more jobless.

Rabi Nepal
Koteshwore

Sad Incident

The killings of 12 innocent Nepalese in Iraq is a very sad incident "OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT: Series Of Setbacks: (SPOTLIGHT September 3)." The extreme terrorist group, which is responsible for the killings, is highly condemnable. It is beyond everybody's comprehension why the innocent Nepalese who went there seeking livelihood were made the target. The apathy shown by the government for their rescue is even more deplorable.

Ram Prasad Neupane
Kalimati

Shame On The Government And The Political Parties

What followed the killings of 12 innocent Nepalis in the Iraqi land in Nepal is very shameful. It is natural that one feels aggressive and vindictive when such incidents occur. But it is at such times that one needs to think wisely and act accordingly. The word 'conscience' is made for use in such instances. Instead of mourning the deaths of our fellow countrymen in better ways we resorted to vandalism and violence. To save our identity as 'peace loving', brave people in the world we should remember the saying that goes 'a man does not bite a dog if a dog bites a man.'

Shaswat Sharma
Via Email