Stop defaming university:

I have been associated with Tribhuvan University (TU) for the last 15 years. As a student I devoted all my energy towards studies unlike many of my friends who got carried away by student politics. I am appalled at the string of accusations labelled by the media and students against TU. Only last week there were articles in the newspapers, including a letter in THT that derided TU’s education system, particularly the English Department.

Although TU has its own set of problems, it certainly is not a failed institution. No

institution is without its set of ills. Even the iconic learning centres are not immune to such problems. Besides producing good breed of medical and engineering students, TU provides sound education in other disciplines as well. Its problems are due to political interference and

student politics. And it is pointless to blame only the teachers, as many students do not take their studies seriously. They have even attempted setting fire to the TU buildings and library. If any flaws are to be corrected, the students together with the TU management should amicably find appropriate solutions. All should help upgrade as well as preserve the prestige of the TU.

Eakprasad Duwadi, via e-mail

Unsatisfactory:

I agree with Professor Bishwamber Pyakural’s views expressed in the article “Food security — challenges facing Nepal’s agriculture” published in THT on February 21.

Over 80 per cent of the Nepalis depend on agriculture for a living. But the sector’s

current growth rate stands at a negligible 0.4 per cent. Since Nepal cannot increase its

cultivable land, we can increase the agricultural productivity through mechanised farming, by the use of improved crop varieties, fertilisers, pesticides and effective irrigation system.

Higher agricultural yield helps to increase income and reduce poverty. Even though the government endorsed the Asian Development Bank supported 20-year Agricultural Perspective Plan for the sector’s growth, the goals are yet to be met.

Despite ample water resources, the existing irrigation network is still unreliable. Insufficient yield has forced Nepal to import food items. Thus, it helps to educate farmers, train and

encourage them to use modern methods of farming for increased productivity. The government must provide facilities, basic infrastructure and even provide subsidies. Nepal needs to develop its agricultural sector through proper implementation and evaluation of current agricultural policy.

Keshab S Ghimire, Kirtipur

UN’s role:

Secretary General Kofi Annan’s statement that the UN as a world body still has a greater role to play as it is the “right body to lead” multinational missions is partly correct.

According to the news “Annan defends UN’s world role” published in THT on February 23, Annan defended the UN’s role in a commentary published on February 22 in The Wall Street Journal.

Though the UN has come under much criticism recently for such things as sexual

harassment allegations against Ruud Lubbers, the head of the UN refugee agency UNHCR, and UN sponsored oil-for-food programme in Iraq, there is no doubt that the world requires a multilateral forum to address the complex issues confronting the nations. However, there is no use of a body that succumbs to the wishes of only the powerful states. The UN urgently requires fundamental changes to adapt to the changing times and needs so that it can contribute greatly to solving disputes within and among nations.

Abaya Giri, Jawalakhel