PM’s hunger for power

Apropos of the news report “Koirala bidding to form govt?” (THT, Aug 7), it seems that Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has not been able to overcome his hunger for power. From what has come to light, Koirala is eager to get the prime ministerial post, even if it entails stooping low before foreign powers. Koirala’s remark that he wants to form a new government, with or without the inclusion of the Maoists, suggests that he has used his presence at the SAARC summit to beg for international support for his leadership of the

government. After his return from the SAARC summit, Koirala has been implying that foreign powers do not want the Maoists to come to power.

Why is Prime Minister Koirala not able to accept that the Maoists enjoy the mandate to lead the new government and play the lead role in drafting a new constitution? Koirala is believed to be one of the greatest political leaders of our time. But by asking the fringe parties to support Nepali Congress (NC) and sideline the Maoists, he has shown that his much vaunted achievements were the result of serendipity rather than his political acumen. Probably he wants to take revenge against Prachanda for not supporting Nepali Congress during the presidential election. But Koirala should understand that Nepalis won’t be taken for a ride yet again.

Dr Sital Kaji Shrestha, India

Two-faced

As China makes final preparations for the Beijing Olympic Games, the international community

should review what China had pledged to International Olympic Committee as reports of suppression of human rights and press freedom make headlines almost every day. This

unpleasant fact will taint Beijing Olympics. The reporters have been barred access to internet and they find themselves under constant surveillance of plain-clothes securitymen and are often subjected to brutal treatment.It is also disturbing that air quality in the city is dismal. We have learnt that many green parks have been built by dismantling public homes.

It is ironic that common Chinese people are still subjected to torture, prolonged detention and

denial of basic human rights when the Games are being held under the slogan “One world, one dream”.

Lekshey Gyatso, via e-mail

Bad idea

This is in reference to the news brief “Beauty pageant put off” (THT, Aug 7). I don’t see any reason why women activists should be so vehement against beauty pageants. Why don’t people understand that beauty contestants learn a great deal in the process of competing for the coveted title, which not only symbolises beauty but also many other desirable virtues? We should not ignore the fact that winners of the title in the past have become role models by

contributing to various social causes.

For instance, Miss Nepal 2007 Sitashma Chand has participated in various kinds of awareness

campaigns and encouraged others to follow suit.

Imagine how much international fans of Miss Nepal 2006 Shavona Shrestha learned about Nepal when she took part in the Miss Earth Pageant and other international events. We must learn to appreciate the inner beauty of contestants instead of chastising them.

Kumud Ghimire, Kathmandu