Take right steps:

When most of the political parties, the general public and the international community are suggesting that peace should be given a chance and a democratic government established, the King should seriously think about these suggestions and act accordingly. Nepal, which was just stepping towards development after the restoration of democracy in the post-1990 period, is now a decade back in every developmental aspect because of political instability and violence unleashed by the Maoists. The King has overtaken power, which would not solve the country’s burning problems. Simply ignoring the Maoists’ ceasefire and the parties’ efforts to restore peace and just assuring the people that peace will return is not enough. The government must prove its good intent in practice too, or else the innocent people will continue to be killed and national property destroyed. It would be better to grapple with the real issues like the refugees, education, and security problems rather than just transferring ministry officials from one place to another. Give the people an opportunity so that they do not have to migrate to foreign lands in search of a future. Still there is a ray of hope and the people respect the King. But the King should not take this for granted and take necessary steps before it is too late.

Samir Dahal, Hari Khetan Multiple Campus,Birgunj

Intervene:

This refers to the news “Think before you buy those shining food items,” published in THT on January 4. It is unfortunate that adulteration is rampant because there is no strong mechanism to control it. Since adulteration of food and beverages is done with the aim to earn more profit, overlooking the harm it causes to the consumers, the traders who indulge in such malpractices should be immediately brought to book. Despite repeated suggestions and representations to successive governments, this issue has not been taken up seriously. The government should intervene to protect people’s health.

Deepak Joshi Pokharal, Kirtipur

Sold for song:

This refers to the news ‘Valuable celestial tools sold for song’ published in THT on December 25. It is absolutely wrong on the part of the Royal Nepal Academy scholars not to recognise the work of another scholar and sell his invaluable tools to scrap dealers. Moreover, what could be more insulting to a person who served the academy for 25 years and, in return, got such humiliation? Was it not the responsibility of the academicians to preserve the celestial tools of late Naya Raj Pant? What can people expect from such an academy that does not ecognise the work of its own scholars?

Ambika Pandey, Chitwan

Civic sense:

While going to college in the mornings I often come across piles of garbage on the roads. It is not only the duty of the municipality but the public too to maintain cleanliness in the city.

People are seen spitting and littering on the roads and elsewhere. If we don’t maintain cleanliness, the sanitary condition as well as the image of our city is bound to deteriorate, causing health hazards.

Sudan Gautam, via e-mail