Apropos of the news story “Culture and heritage” (THT, February 22, Page 8), dust is the powerful new asset of Nepal, not just of Kathmandu. But with over five million people moored in the Valley, the Nepali dust has become as problematic as evil mustard gas that Saddam Hussein reportedly used on the Iraqi Kurds. Dust can be a powerful weapon that can thwart the gains, imaginary or otherwise, of the ‘Mahan Jana Andolan’. It has the power to drive away tourists, it can drastically reduce the lifespan of the Nepali people; it can damage anything from computers to planes overtime. On the positive note, dust can be our answer to nuclear arsenal. In ancient warfare village armies reportedly used wasp hives to defeat larger, better armed enemies. Our dust bombs can be as lethal. Last night as I waited for my wife in my car with all windows rolled up tightly, a strong whiff of fine dust suffocated me forcing a barrage of sneezing. I ordered my wife to forget about the eggs she was buying, telling her I was not sure if we would live another day to enjoy the eggs. This is no folklore. I won’t be surprise if Kathmandu turns into a death Valley in the next two decades or so. Rather than talking election and constitution day in and day out for the past two decades, the government must address the scourge of dust in the Valley in the interest of the dwellers here. If it can clean the valley of dust, the gains of political change would be fully achieved.

Manohar Shrestha, Kathmandu

Sitting duck

This has reference to news story “Agenda for today” (THT, February 20, Page 14). As I graduated from my business school, I have been watching and reading about business related issues. But, every now and then, I am amazed at going through a handful result of business and commerce. Similarly, I took part in a mega event in the capital on February 19 entitled “Nepal Infrastructure Summit 2017”.

But, I feel that such “so-called sitting” conference in the name of economic prosperity has not been able to make any impact in society as claimed by the organizers. Sadly, the ordinary people do not know about the hidden motive of this kind of conference that does not bring about any changes in infrastructure sector. As a chief guest, PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal highlighted the importance of infrastructure that can play in development and income of the ordinary people. Such event just ends up being a talking shop, doing nothing for the betterment of the country. If the government spends its capital budget in a time bound manner the private sector does not need to worry about the development process as the government budget is enough to expedite the development activities boosting the country’s economy. The private sector can only benefit from the government-built infrastructure such as airports, railways, roads, ports, health facilities, education and so on. On the other hand, the private sector cannot make huge investment in capital incentive infrastructure that takes a long time to complete.

Saroj Wagle, Bara