Apropos of the news story “Locals want their demands met before MWSP starts water supply” (THT, April 13, Page 4), successful drilling of the 27-km tunnel seems like an early celebration in view of the veiled threats from the locals.

Meanwhile, the Asian Development Bank, which has funded in the project, mentioned about the challenge to utilise water properly without misusing it, which is more challenging than drilling the tunnel.

Upendra Tamang, a member of a local stakeholder committee, has said at a programme attended by ADB’s Hun Kim and a few ministers that “the government must not take water from our area for granted. If our demands are not addressed properly, we won’t allow distribution of water to Kathmandu from Melamchi.” Another speaker, Law Minister Sher Bahadur Tamang, added, “Melamchi water is like our bride, which we are sending (sic) to

Kathmandu. Therefore, people of Kathmandu should treat it like their daughter”.

The locals’ demands must be fulfilled as per the promises and agreements made the government agencies earlier. The government must carry out Infrastructure development such as two-lane road from Zero Kilo and cable cars to Sundarijal.

Crusher industries wanton sand mining must be stopped. We should always keep Kim’s advice in our heads not to misuse even a single drop of water.

Manohar Shrestha, Kathmandu

Perseverance

Thomas Alva Edison who had 1,093 patents under his belt, once very aptly said, “Genius is one per cent inspiration, ninety-nine per cent perspiration.”

However, the most essential quality that we need is indeed perseverance to cheerfully endure such a huge amount of perspiration. When we see Roger Federer returning a powerful shot after covering a lot of ground with a thunderous forehand down the line volley while balancing his tall body on one leg, we generally say that he is a gifted player. And he can play so well because he is a born athlete. But the fact of the matter is he has not inherited such ability but has earned it by perseverance which in the words of Victor Hugo is “the secret of all triumphs.”

Indeed, Roger Federer has been hitting volleys while standing on one leg on a stiff mini-trampoline device for astronomical number of times and that makes him do it with such an élan in Grand Slam tournaments.

What makes the difference between him and other players is his ability to cheerfully cope with such a tough training regimen. This explains why he is a cut above other players. This is called perseverance which according to Oxford Dictionary “the quality of continuing to try to achieve a particular aim despite difficulties”.

Others describe it as “patience in action”. Children have it as their natural quality that makes them always cheerful — rain or shine.

Sujit De, Kolkata