Kristi Calling

The 8th South Asian Federation Games got off to a glittering start yesterday (Saturday). No doubt the Opening Ceremony prepared by the organisers of the Games was impressive. But considering the amount of money, time and manpower spent for this occasion, Ms. wonders whether it was worth it all? Why couldn’t the ceremony have been a simple one with a brief programme depicting the life and culture in Nepal? Is there a need to be extravagant to make a ceremony impressive and memorable? The effort put in the Opening Ceremony and now the Closing Ceremony which will come in a week’s time, could have been instead put in the preparation of the teams or building other sporting infrastructure. Furthermore, many parents could also be heard complaining about their children being taken from the school for mass PT and other presentations. It seems the children were given no choice on whether they wanted to participate or not. Maybe we can make the coming SAARC Summit more businesslike and not it as if a big circus has come to town.

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Still on the SAF Games, it is wrong on the part of some politicians and newspapers to personally attack the Minister for Sports in regard to the holding of the regional sporting meet. Just because he is in the limelight now, some people have accused him of being involved in corruption and also not listening to party leaders. Ms. feels this is no time to get stuck in such petty squabbling. Furthermore, while meeting the Minister, virtually all have found him quite serious in ensuring that the Games is organised properly. But perhaps apart from the SAF Games, there are other political reasons for targeting this Minister, who is considered close to PM Bhattarai. Let us hope there are no political casualties even by this sporting event which is held to strengthen a feeling of friendship in the whole region.

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The vandalism and violence that took place in the office premises of the Speaker of the House of Representatives is definitely a deplorable incident. But more shocking is the attitude of the alleged students who had no compunction in so blatantly breaking the laws in the place where laws are made. They organised a protest programme in the centre of the town, criticising the Speaker himself. Ms. feels an attack on the Speaker, that also in his office in the Parliament, is tantamount to being an attack on the whole Parliament. The perpetrators of such an act should be suitably punished by the government. Just because there are political strings attached, the hands of the government shouldn’t be tied. If nothing is done even when a person of such status is pushed around, then what sense of security any common man have?

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It is a change for the better to see more traffic police on the roads and their effort in keeping smooth the flow of traffic in Kathmandu’s chaotic streets. However what is disturbing, are the reports of police harassment against innocent drivers. It is not wrong to initiate stiff penalties against traffic rule breakers, specially those who pose a danger on the streets, but at the same time higher level authorities in the Police should also make sure that tough laws don’t become easy means to earn money for the cops. If as reported in some newspapers, a traffic police is found guilty of being involved in corruption, then strong action must be initiated against him or her too. A mere uniform should not be allowed to hide a criminal, specially one who breaks a law in the name of enforcing it.

Enjoy the SAF Games this week and cheer for all the participants, specially the Nepalese. Bye.

-Ms. Kristi