This is with reference to the news story “Himalaya Airlines now to take off with its third aircraft” (THT, April 1, Page 11).

This is indeed good news that the company is determined to expand its aviation business by adding more aircraft. Himalaya Airlines has added the third aircraft in its fleet at a time when Nepal’s tourism sector is gradually recovering from the 2015 devastating earthquake and trade embargo.

The domestic private sector is really contributing a lot to bringing more tourists in the country by expanding its aviation services in various countries, particularly in Asia and South Asia.

But sad to say is that the national flag carrier, Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC), is lagging far behind the private airlines as far as its service and occupancy is concerned due to its poor management.

In view of the company’s plan to acquire 15 aircraft in five years down the road it is expected that the company will represent Nepal as the real national flag carrier as NAC has failed to keep promises for so many years.

Suman Raj Sharma, Kathmandu

Happiness

The opinions of writers on Sunday´s PEOPLE SPEAK were worth reading “Calculating how happy you are: What is happiness?” (THT, April 2, Page 8). Kudos to the mesmeric views of each and every writer! Happiness is not something that can be measured.

Rather it is something that can be felt. And happiness cannot be felt unless the sense of mutual co-operation, understanding, unity and harmony is inculcated among each other and trustworthy, amicable and conducive atmosphere is created via helping hands.

Norwegians are more satisfied with their lives making them the world’s happiest nation. Not all citizens of Norway are really happy from the inner core of the heart regardless of the revelation of the news report by World Happiness Report 2017.

And it can’t be undermined that there are many people from many countries who are really happy from all sides. And most importantly, happiness conquers power, wealth and every sort of ‘the material world’. Though Nepal has been ranked as the third happiest nation in South Asia, I don’t think Nepalis are really happy from inside.

In my view, the term, “resilient” can be an appropriate term rather than “happiness” to describe the Nepalis. There is a saying, “Never judge a book by its cover.” Such reports can never reveal ‘the bitter truth’ about how Nepalis are really feeling inside.

Many people get confused with the state of happiness when they struggle to meet the daily hand to mouth problem in their everyday life. However, a state of happiness can never be attained unless we acquire peace of mind which has been lacking for the last two decades.

A situation in which a person feels secure about their future makes them happy. But it cannot be gauged by asking a simple question whether a person is happy in the given condition.

Sanjog Karki, Tansen