The long-awaited Constitution of Nepal was promulgated yesterday (on the 20th of September) after seven years and four months since the first Constituent Assembly was elected in 2008. This constitution is entirely different from six others adopted in the past because the country has been declared a democratic republic and it is the most inclusive one in terms of representations at all levels. It has been endorsed by more than 90 percent of the CA which is more inclusive than any other constituent assemblies formed so far. So, it carries the aspirations of 90 percent people of the country. So I want to welcome this historic moment which has opened up new avenues of peace and prosperity in the days to come. With the promulgation of the new democratic, republican and inclusive constitution the peace process that began in 2006 following the 12-point understanding between the then seven-party alliance and rebel Maoists has been officially concluded and the hard-earned achievements of the second Jana Andolan have also been institutionalised. Nobody will have to revolt against it as it has constitutional provisions that can be amended as per the need. Now the responsibility of the major political stakeholders is to hold elections of the federal parliament, Pradesh assembly and local bodies at the earliest to implement the new constitution.

Lila Bhattarai, Kathmandu

Visa hassle On September 1 at 10:30 pm, I was one of the small crowd of foreign tourists lining up to get Nepali visa. After paying the fee we queued at the desks to receive the visa. There was a number of desks, each issuing visas for a different length of stay. The written sign on the desk says what duration of visa that particular immigration officer issues. Unfortunately, the sign is so small that we can only read it after uselessly waiting in the wrong queue. Thus many of us waited in wrong lines uselessly, only to queue up again at the correct desk. Please, could the immigration make larger signs to save us long waits in wrong spots? As we waited in the 90-day visa line the other visa desks had no customers. I rather hoped that officers at those desks would call us over and issue our visas. I hoped in vain. They sat there gazing into distance while the tired and sweaty tourists shuffled in the line by only one window. I also need to say that the TIA staffers that look after lost luggage is just great. My suitcase was lost and I expected to spend a lot of time and effort to file the form. This normally happens at other world airports. Not so. The staff were extremely efficient, helpful and pleasant, all of them chipping in to ensure that customers were dealt with quickly. Thank you, great staff in the lost luggage TIA! Once this professionalism spreads throughout TIA it will be the best airport in the world.

Helena Nova, Australia