Let new faces emerge

Lok Raj Baral’s article “Jana Andolan 2006: How it is different”, published in THT on May 4, was very interesting. However, I disagree with him that a Jana Andolan is not an armed insurgency or a violent revolution because we have sufficient national and international instances to prove that people’s movement could be revolutionary too. He himself pointed out that the 2006 Jana Andolan was ‘revolutionary in terms of principles and mass mobilisation.’

No matter how we praise the efforts of the seven-party alliance in the Jana Andolan, the decisive role played by the civil society and professional groups cannot be forgotten because without them the Andolan would not have been an inclusive one. These groups still have not given up the Andolan, which is now directed towards cautioning the quarrelling parties. It seems that the people’s aspirations would only be met if the old generation leaders stepped down and let the fresh blood lead the parties.

Prakhar, Kathmandu

Urgent steps

The 19-day strike left a serious impact on our economy which is going through a rough phase. While the tourism sector managed to survive, the revenue sources came to a complete halt. This year, too, the GDP growth cannot exceed 2 to 2.5 per cent.

With the restoration of democracy, the people’s expectations have shot up. Attaining democracy is not an end in itself but it is the beginning of a new struggle. The industrial sector needs special attention as it has been facing grave crisis for the past few years, resulting in closures and problems like the lack of funds, spurt in raw material prices and other inputs, power cuts and accumulation of inventories due to forward planning, among others.

The financial sector is weak and unemployment is at an all-time high. The government should take immediate steps towards debt restructuring and framing rehabilitation policy to stimulate healthy growth of the industry.

T G Ramaswamy, Hetauda

Check them

The Nepalis have made supreme sacrifices to restore democracy. Obviously, they expect exemplary discipline, morality and hard work from the leaders, who can no longer commit mistakes and make excuses. It is important to exclude the corrupt politicians from the new set-up and put the powerbrokers at arm’s length, as they will now try to ensure that their men get official appointments.

The CIAA must resume work and bring the guilty to book. All appointments and promotions must be based on certain criteria. The appointment of ambassadors and chairpersons of leading bodies must be subject to the House approval.

Ramesh B Shrestha, Lalitpur

Neglected

Unlike the importance extended to science and commerce subjects, the humanities is a neglected field in Nepal. Students feel ashamed of calling themselves Arts students. Those scoring high marks in SLC opt for science or commerce stream. The Arts subjects are treated as secondary as if they have no significance for the society. There is a need to make the students understand the aesthetic value of this discipline.

Shiva Neupane, Syangja