Letters (Spotlight Weekly)

Condemnable Act

What happened in the city of Kathmandu on September 1, 2004, as a reaction to the previous day's incident in Iraq, was sadly ridiculous "RIOTS IN KATHMANDU: Calm After The Storm (SPOTLIGHT September 10)." The killings of the innocent Nepalese in Iraq will ever remain as a poignant reminder of the humiliation faced by Nepalese. However, the worry now is not that the people have died; it is that a system seems to have been established. The way in which people reacted to the deaths of the Nepalis in Iraq, initially seemed encouraging as they seemed to express solidarity against such humiliation and protect the legacy of brave Gurkhas. However, it soon took an ugly turn. The vandalism of manpower companies, airlines, media houses and the religious places is in no way justifiable in the name of solidarity. Whether it was a spontaneous reaction from the youths or a 'remote-controlled' mob, the consequences are condemnable. If similar reactions are to be faced each time the nation goes through a certain turbulence, Nepal, will gain another identity in the world - the country of monkeys.

Shri Ram Khadka
Anamnagar

Probe The Mystery

Looking at the aftermath of the post-Iraq incident in Nepal, one cannot help pondering about the culprit behind all this "RIOTS IN KATHMANDU: Calm After The Storm (SPOTLIGHT September 10)." It is hard to believe that this kind of 'well-coordinated' and 'efficient' devastation takes place without a plot of a shrewd 'director.' However, who is the director? Why was the play staged? What benefit does it give him/her/them is beyond the comprehension of most of us? By vandalizing the public and private properties, burning tires and furniture in the street and stalling the movement of the city-dwellers, who benefits? There is a need of thorough probe on who is behind all this and what could be the reasons for resorting to such mad acts, so that in the coming days more 'mad people' will not go after such 'methods' whenever an 'opportune' time comes.

Shreeya Adhikari
Pulchowk

Lets Unite

The fact that 12 innocent Nepalis were killed in Iraq is not only an act of terrorism it is also a blow to Nepal for being 'weak' "IRAQ HOSTAGE KILLING : Ugly Face Of (SPOTLIGHT September 3)." Following the killing of Nepalis the similar group released a group of people of other nationalities including Indians who had also been taken hostage. There have been reports that the Indian government paid millions of dollars for their release. There have also been reports that the group had asked for a sum of money with the Nepalese government also. These reports may or may not be true, but the killings of Nepalese is certainly the result of Nepal as a whole being 'weak.' At such a time we all need to work together in mutual harmony and develop the country. Otherwise it is likely that the country will face more such situations and humiliations in the world. Had it been an attack on the people of more powerful countries, would they have kept quiet till now? But, for us, where the national army is fighting against insurgency, retaliation is not easy at the moment. Instead, shamefully, we resorted to vandalizing our own property.

Dipesh Bhatta
Kaushaltar

Who Is The Director?

Everyone is talking about the planned directed event that occurred post Iraq incident "RIOTS IN KATHMANDU: Calm After The Storm (SPOTLIGHT September 10). From political leaders to members of civil society everyone was consistent about the incident being planned and directed from some quarters. But interestingly, nobody said who the director was. If they are so certain that the incidents are directed they should also have some idea about who could be the director and why that quarter resorted to such vandalism in the city. What benefit does that give the director? To public, while there are reasons for them to believe that it was directed, they are very unclear about who could be the culprit behind it and why he or she would have done that.

Priya Shakya
Patan

Long Term Impact

Amid several sad news, it is pleasing to know that the vandalism and riots to protest the killing of 12 innocent Nepalese job-seekers in Iraq has not affected the existing communal harmony of the country "COMMUNAL HARMONY: Living Together (SPOTLIGHT September 10)". The solidarity expressed by various religious leaders and the unreserved support of the Muslim community residing in Nepal shows that 'unity in diversity' is still one of the unique features of Nepal. While, the vandalism and the riots are condemnable, it is quite clear by now that it was not religious or a natural reaction of the people, but a planned act of opportunists who do not want the good of this country and its people.

Nita Bhatta
Satdobato

Recognition of Talent

I thank you very much for covering the profile of folk singer Ram Thapa ""FOLK AND MODERN SONGS: In Parallel Lines (SPOTLIGHT September 10)." Being a great fan of Thapa and an avid lover of folk songs, I know a lot more about Ram Thapa than what you have written. However, for the general readers of SPOTLIGHT, the profile should have been very informative. And I believe this is a token of honor given to his contribution to Nepali music. There are very few media that recognize true talent and contribution of singers like Thapa. So, I thank you again for covering his profile.

Hitraj Khadka
Chabahil