I am writing this in reference to the news story “Two arrested for raping underage girls in Bhaktapur” (THT, October 14, Page 2). It is genuinely horrifying to hear the news that rape is prevalent in our society. So much and so it entails the fact that there is acute shortage of sex knowledge acquisition in our country. Our society does not give due attention or if I may say so nor attaches any importance to the sex related issues. It may sound weird and wacky in a generic mood of people on what it means to think about the legalisation of red light districts. To my speculation, yes indeed the legalisation of brothels is desperate because nobody can control the natural urge for sex on their part. We have a customary thinking that it is apt for raper to give a death sentence. I understand the social aggression of victims or the society as a whole. However, we have failed to think outside the box about this matter. There is way around to fix this problem by dint of civic duty and freedom to ventilate the idea of any sort independently.

Shiva Neupane, Melbourne

New heights

It is a matter of surprise for a country like Nepal that there has been first ascent on not just one but three different peaks.

First ascents were recorded in peaks such as Mt. Burke Khang, Mt. Nagpal Gosum and Larkay Lha Main Peak from South East Wall. One of the three peaks, i.e. Mt. Burke Khang is named after American mountaineer Bill Burke who was the oldest climber at the age of 72 years who also led the expedition team consisting of three Nepalese climbers. Previously they used to be called virgin mountains before being scaled.

Climber Bill Burke made three successive attempts to reach the summit of Burke Khang in 2015, 2016 and 2016, with all of them being unsuccessful. Since all three mountains have been scaled, time will come when there will be a series of expeditions maybe within 2017.

Now it’s time for the Nepalese Mountaineering Association and Nepal Tourism Board to make an attempt for tracing out some other peaks which haven’t been conquered yet. Only then mountain climbing in Nepal will reach new heights all over the world.

Pratik Shrestha, Buddhanagar

Fighting fire

The frequent fire accidents have brought to the fore the bitter fact that the safety measures are in the state of neglect. And no proper lessons have been learnt from such tragedies. To contain the fire on time, transportation of fire-fighters and fire-fighting equipment is very important. For this purpose, there should be wide roads in front of

big buildings. Also, clear blueprints on building structure should be given to the fire-brigade so that they can prevent the blaze from spreading to the other parts of the building.

P. Senthil Saravana Durai, Mumbai