Democracy is best

This is in reference to the editorial “Stunning victory” published in THT on June 27. I want to add a few things on the recent Iran election. Firstly, the Iranian poll can hardly be deemed

democratic or unbiased. Control of the populace by means of religious intolerance toward

competing ideas prevents a fair and free election that would truly be an indication of the people’s desire.

Secondly, if the aim of any American administration was “oil politics,” as mentioned in the write-up, Iran and Iraq would have been American holdings long ago. Thirdly, “transplanted values” that include freedom and the ability to pursue individual happiness are what all

people desire for themselves when given a real choice. The news from Iraq is and remains slanted to lead the world to believe that all is “doom and gloom.”

If one is to speak to the Iraqi people now after 30 years of oppression, murder and genocide, they will surely tell you that freedom and the ability to choose their own destiny is by far a better risk than being under ultra-conservative mullahs and dictators. There are plenty of people, including Iraqis and Iranians, who will gladly accept the price and the risk to have a chance at the best system known in the history of the world — democracy.

Ron Haggett, via e-mail

Guide pupils

It seems that those who cleared the SLC hurdle are facing another big problem deciding on the stream of study to pursue and choosing the right college. Since Kathmandu is full of 10+2 colleges, each claiming to be the best, the choice is a difficult one. These days the majority of the colleges are busy advertising to lure students. It is fruitless to join colleges on parents’ pressure or going by the names of famous colleges. Students should go for career guidance and choose subjects of their interest. If they go by pressure, they will never be happy with their choice.

Sushil R Paudel, Lainchour

Jealousy

The Midway article “Cutting no ice,” published on June 24, by Biswas Baral looked like an obvious attempt to counter-attack Tara Bhatta’s article “Relativity.” The writer may have a different view on the controversies of mythology and its lack of harmony with science, but he can in no way underestimate another’s analysis, that, too, quite an artistic argument already

appreciated by a professor of physics and others. Many great theories of science have been rejected later and there’s not much in exaggerating some paradoxes in mythology. He has to first clearly comprehend the piece before criticising.

Baral could have written a letter giving his views, not another article. I would call it mere jealousy.

Runa Shrestha, Baneswor

Impractical

Just a few days ago I realised how bad Nepal’s governance has become. I went to the CDO’s office to get a duplicate copy of my lost citizenship certificate. I was told that the job is to be done from the municipality office. But when I went to the municipal office, I was told that they do not take care of this mater unless the process comes through the CDO.

How can the citizens get their work done when there is so much communication gap between the governing bodies themselves?

Sudarshan Adhikari,

via e-mail