Bird flumenace

The government has not been attentive to the looming bird flu threat which has assumed

pandemic proportions in the neighbouring Indian state of West Bengal. If it enters the country, there is a great risk of its rapid spread among the human population

before any concrete measure can be taken to tackle it. In the event, there could be a huge loss of life and property. Moreover, our country does not have the resources to fight against the deadly virus. If timely precautions are not taken, the consequences could be disastrous.

Vibek Manandhar,

via e-mail

Bleak future

“Education for All” has been one of the most strident government rhetoric for a long time. Unfortunately, the national plan has so far remained a pipe dream, with education still a luxury for the poor. While the students belonging to wealthy families find their way into universities abroad, those who cannot afford are left to languish in educational

establishments that are desperately short in educational material and infrastructure — thanks to the politicisation of educational institutions in the country. This raises an important question: Do poor students have any future to aspire to?

Prabal Pradhan, via e-mail

Misuse

Ambulances are supposed to be used to transport patients to hospital in case of

emergencies. But most ambulances plying in the capital are being used for personal purposes. Some set off emergency alarms to ease their way through heavy traffic even while they are not carrying patients. This kind of misuse of essential services should be

prevented and the guilty punished.

Manoj Thapa, via e-mail

Power cut

At a time when the country has been witnessing an economic slowdown, it is unwise of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) to increase load-shedding hours. All sectors have been affected by the long hours of power cut, such as education, manufacturing, and health. If the factories and business houses cannot operate, I wonder how the national economy can be sustained. NEA needs to rethink its decision and look for alternatives to cut down the long, dark hours of power cut.

Milan Banjara, Panauti

False pride

I could not help but pity the guy sitting next to me in a microbus whose schoolbag was emblazoned with scrawls like “Shadows”, “Vengaboys” and “Enemene”. The boy could have been barely 14 or 15. The former two names are okay, but Enemene! Please, its Eminem. And there certainly was no mention of the likes of Amber Gurung, Narayan Gopal or Nepathya.

The incident made me realise how negligent the country’s youth are about their own culture and national legends but continue to worship Western artistes as if they were gods.

Ashish Jha, via e-mail

Bloody good

“Bloody Mary” section of THT Friday supplement makes is well written and offers a much-needed break from the monotonous news items that can sometimes get on your nerves. Keep up the good job.

Smita Chaudhary, Patan