Letters (Spotlight Weekly)

Let Us Stay Prepared

The cover story on the preparedness of earthquake is a very relevant one and that every one of us, particularly the authorities need to be well aware of the scale of destruction and the aftermath that a high Richter scale of earthquake can cause "EARTHQUAKE PREPAREDNESS: Too Little Too Slow (SPOTLIGHT January 14)." They should be more concerned about the uphill task that would be required if such an event ever occurred. Not that we can avert the calamity itself, but we can certainly do a lot from our part to mitigate the disaster effects. With a little cautiousness in building infrastructure and raising awareness about remaining prepared, the scale of the destruction and loss of life and property can largely be reduced. The increased effort obviously does not mean forecasting or welcoming such event because it is better to stay prepared and not face a crisis than not prepare at all and face a crisis.

Anil Sapkota
Lagankhel

Stay Close To The Nature

Many argue that the more modern you are more closer to destruction you are "EARTHQUAKE PREPAREDNESS: Too Little Too Slow (SPOTLIGHT January 14)." Talking about disasters it is very true. The occurrence of calamities is a natural process and keeps on going. However, how much it affects the human civilization depends on how much have the humans exploited the nature. Say for example, if an earthquake occurs people who stay in thatched roofed house made by bamboo sticks or mud or similar material are least likely to be affected, while people residing in huge skyscrapers or mansions are likely to be affected most. So, if we want to save ourselves from natural calamities we need to keep our lifestyle in close affinity to the preference of the nature.

Sabin Maskey
Teku

Put Service Above

I was astounded to know that charity organizations like the UMN were facing the trouble caused by dirty politics in Nepal "UMN: Future Uncertain (SPOTLIGHT January 14)." It is as clear as daylight that this missionary organization has been helping Nepal in various sectors including health, education and rural development. Many underprivileged people of Nepal have benefited from its service. It is a Christian organization. Everyone knows that and the organization itself agrees with it. It is very unclear what harm do the authorities see in this fact. If any one is impressed by their service and decides to follow Christianity, what is the harm? There is no evidence that UMN has been involved in proselytizing against anybody's will. If the authorities have such evidences, they could have punished the very person involved in this 'criminal activity', and should not have even conceived of hurdling the very operation of a serving organization. It is very ironic that the Nepalese authority cannot provide proper service to its people and does not let others do it. It should not waste any time to abstain from the dirty politics it is involved in that affects hundreds of thousands of Nepalese.

Sabin Sharma
Sanepa

Look Out For Options

The interview with Edward Gresser gives the Nepalese government and businessmen an insight on how they could go ahead to revive the export of garment and other commodities after the agreement for quota reservation for Nepalese textiles expired beginning this year "Nepal's Chance For Exemption From Tariffs Would Be Best If It Can Work With A Group Of LDCs With Similar Concerns (SPOTLIGHT January 14)." We should learn to be more self-dependent and learn to explore newer forefronts when problems arise rather than agonize over the gone cases. It is a good suggestion that Nepal should work with other least developed countries with common concerns for lobbying or achieving any goal of common nature.

Sweta Maharjan
Jyatha

Train School Children

There is no doubt that school children will be most affected by an earthquake if it occurs during day time "EARTHQUAKE PREPAREDNESS: Too Little Too Slow (SPOTLIGHT January 14)." However, what we can see is neither the school infrastructures have been built properly to mitigate the risk nor are the students trained to stay protected if an earthquake occurs. No school, with a few exceptions, does an earthquake drill with their students. The school authorities as well as the parents should be more concerned about this issue and do something to reduce the risk of earthquake on school children.

Rita Shakya
Patan