LETTERS: Unsafe atmosphere

This is with reference to the news story “Six-year-old girl raped in Dhanusha” (THT, April 9, Page 5). Being an adolescent girl, I was shaken to the core of my heart when I went through this news story.

The growing trend of rape in Nepal has created a very vulnerable unsafe atmosphere in our society where girls don’t feel safe even at their own home. Then, how can they feel safe outside? Even if a girl does not face sexual violence, she always has a fear in her mind that she could be the next victim trying to protect herself each and every time.

The traditional patriarchal attitude towards women together with worsening condition of law and order seem to be contributing to this situation that is weakening girls’ mental strength. Hearing the news that someone had been raped frequently is really heartrending to the girls like me. I don’t think only punishment to the culprit as per law is sufficient to control this trend. What about the rape victims who suffer not only physically but mentally throughout their life?

The trauma of rape will certainly weaken their morale and personality too. We’re just talking about the punishment for rapists but why don’t we think about stopping rape completely? Instead of saying that the girls should move on after rape and reminding them to stay safe, why don’t we teach them some tips and tricks to defend themselves?

Kisha Ranabhat, Naxal

Culture

Marking the culture of Nepal, Bisket Jatra, a festival of Bhaktapur denizens, began on April 10.

The festival is one which falls a few days before the New Year of Bikram Sambat. It is celebrated for nine days in total where a pole (linga) is erected at Tamhari Square on April 14. The locals of Thane (Upper Town) and Kone (Lower Town) of Bhaktapur city participate in a ‘tug-of-war’ in which youngsters try to pull the three-storey chariot of Lord Bhairab on their side.

Due to the advent of this procession of Newari culture, security in this part of the city has been tightened, to ensure security of the area – no fighting, excessive drinking, shouting and throwing of stones against one another. Let’s hope the nine-day event will go peacefully and the locals will enjoy the age-old culture in a friendly manner.

Pratik Shrestha, Buddhanagar

Great games

The commonwealth Games-2018 has just began in Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia on a colourful note. The event is taking place on April 4-15. In fact, such big games events bring together various facets of culture, beautiful traditions of many countries and above all, the great concept of togetherness.

The games are sort of great opportunities for the players to demonstrate their courage, confidence, talent and winning spirit. Let us welcome the sports events with a big smile. Not just that, these games give us great retreat from the hustle and bustle of modern life.

PS Saravana Durai, Mumbai