Answers to question why we write are numerous and large. Still the place where all dispersed foots, I guess, would tread together and raise hands in agreement is — wherein one says writing is a way of finding out how one feels about anything and everything. Usually in the private. The latter part of the argument may draw only partial agreement, for a writer is not necessarily a hermit, or shy and bashful. Do we write only to give to others, what our predecessor endowed on us after reading them! Or we write just to be published! Still to be studied in schools and colleges! Banquet s...
Published On: 2011-12-08

Tackling climate change The people who are concerned about environment have said that specific actions are required to reduce the impending crisis caused by the pollution. The concern is about atmospheric changes including climatic warming, ozone layer depletion and acidification. They talk of the implications of these changes on global security, economy, and the environment as a whole. What has to be kept in mind is that it affects our well-being. In order to reduce the risks of global warming, to reduce the emissions of carbon dioxide and other trace gases, all of us should stablise a...
Published On: 2011-12-08

The Inter-governmental Committee (IGC) meeting of the Commerce Secretaries of Nepal and India concluded Tuesday in New Delhi with India agreeing to waive the additional duty of 4 per cent on 162 Nepalese agro and other products exported to India. This must be considered a great achievement for Nepal, as the additional tax on Nepalese exports had robbed them of the competitive edge. In fact, earlier there were 331 Nepalese products on which India had levied the additional duty, but in 2008 the tax waiver came up for 169 products. And, the waiver on the rest was long awaited, and that has finall...
Published On: 2011-12-07

From 15 - 17 December, Geneva is hosting the eighth ministerial meeting of the World Trade Organization (WTO), gathering trade ministers and representatives from 153 countries for haggling over the ongoing trade negotiations. But, the final pact is barely in sight — to be signed by the ministers — proving that the WTO is for liberalizing, rather than for blocking trade. For more than half a century, the WTO — previously the GATT or General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade – has established its image of freer and fairer global trade. The WTO system is universally praised ...
Published On: 2011-12-07

It is easily understood and is not used in vacuum. It does not serve any function if it is used in isolation. Mutual communication is the only one function of language which is carried when we use the language in context. What we want to do with language are the functions of language. And these functions refer to the various purposes for which an utterance or unit of language is used. Request is, for instance, a kind of language function which exemplifies the categories of behaviour. We make a request when we ask someone to do something. Emphasizing its significance in our daily talk, many s...
Published On: 2011-12-07

KATHMANDU: Plagued with many problems lately, Nepal’s tourism industry is confronted with a new riddle –mismatched claims by the airlines and hoteliers on tourist inflow. A dozen and more airlines coming to Nepal say they enjoyed more than 90 per cent occupancy in October-November this year. They expect to utilise 75 per cent occupancy during December-January — traditionally a lean tourist season. A nominal cancellation of bookings makes them more optimistic.The claim is in sharp contrast to the beleaguered hoteliers, who say the occupancy of majority of hotels in October-Nov...
Published On: 2011-12-07

Last week I made a silly mistake while calculating exchange rate due to which I ended up paying almost $300 less to someone. Sometimes I notice my mistake on my own (but only too late!). At other times, other people point it to me. Mistakes happen and I’ve got to learn to deal with them…Besides mistakes we all have to deal with criticisms. Today I was flipping through ECS Teenz where I noticed an interview with Richa Bhattarai and a review on her book ‘Fifteen and three-quarters’. It’s remarkable that she got her book published at the age of 24. However, the revi...
Published On: 2011-12-07

Justify loss of lives This is with reference to the news “Parties mulling over consensus govt” (THT, Dec.5, Page 1). It is quite encouraging to note that a consensual government would be formed within a week; but equally discouraging is that the dirty game of ousting PM Bhattarai from power has already begun.The results of many surveys have revealed that he is the most popular Nepalese politician. His actions have also proved this. Peace and constitution writing processes are also gathering momentum. In fact, he is the people’s PM. But, what an irony, some leaders, especial...
Published On: 2011-12-07

Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai's tenure has been a course correction for Nepal's political development but in the process he has sacrificed not only his image, but also routinely taken actions that flout the basic principles of democratic governance. As he completes his 100 days in office, there are increased concerns about whether his "sacrifices" are legitimate. The most significant process that lay beneath Bhattarai's succession as Nepal's yet another prime minister was UCPN-M Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal's decision to stop riding the tiger of communist revolt. That decision pave...
Published On: 2011-12-06

Notwithstanding the broader consensus among major political parties to make identity and capability as the principle bases of state restructuring, serious differences in the interpretation or intention persist. Apparently, contrary to the agreed yardsticks, some political parties are vehemently objecting to the proposals that historical and cultural uniqueness, and for that matter caste factor be one of the major basis of state restructuring. Therefore, the focus is fully on, by implication, identity and without identity aspect. It is needless to point out that in order to eliminate discrimi...
Published On: 2011-12-06