Investing in Ayurved

The news titled “Ayurved research here set to turn a page” published in THT on March 31, and successive editorial on it titled “Investing in Ayurved” published on April 1 have laid emphasis on research and development (R&D) on Ayurved. The Ayurvedic

pharmaceutical sector, which should involve itself in R&D activities, is devoid of trained manpower in Ayurvedic pharmacy. Nepal has no reliable academic institution imparting education on Ayurvedic pharmacy. The MD and PhD level manpower, which is crucial to carry out research, is not produced in Nepal.

Ayurvedic education in Nepal is limited only to the bachelor’s level. Therefore, for sustained R&D activities it would be wise first to concentrate on establishing educational institution within the country itself to train the required manpower.

Government should encourage private sector in these ventures. Private sector should also acknowledge the tremendous potential of Ayurved and invest in it. In the quest for vibrant Ayurved the aid of private sector is very essential.

Sushil Dahal, BAMS, Institute of Medicine, TU

Honesty

SLC examination begins and ends with big fervour every year. This year’s SLC has also started and there has been reports of a number of examinees who failed SLC in previous years are also seeking to get through the exam this time. In this context, the news published in THT on March 28 is noticeable. As per the news, a 50-year-old man working in a bank in Kanchanpur district is also appearing in the SLC with the hope that with the SLC

certificate he could be promoted from the position he has been working the last 24 years.

At a time when forged certificates and spurious documents have prevailed even among some of the high-ranking officials and have even been investigated by the Commission for the

Investigation of Abuse of Authority, it is commendable that a junior bank staff has chosen to try to obtain a real certificate and get promoted rather than opting for the short-cut method.

This reflects his sincerity toward his work, something that has apparantly been in short supply in Nepal. This is a small but powerful message for our society where dishonesty has been the name of the game. In this regard, I also want to thank THT for bringing this news to the readers.

Ambika Pandey, Chitwan

Rebuild homes

I have been walking past the streets, especially the gallis, in Kathmandu, Bhtaktapur and Patan very cautiously for a long time because the dilapidated houses could fall upon the pedestrians any time. Mere beams support the old and fragile houses in Nardevi, Bangemudha, Ason and other places. And the people living in such houses need not wait for an earthquake to bring their houses down. The building are any case falling apart. I am amazed how those people live in such houses. Either they are poor and ignorant and do not have the money for reconstruction, or they are simply ignoring the danger of living in such houses. But the former seems to be the case with the majority of them.

Whatever the reason, the responsibility also lies with the concerned government bodies to help these people and push for new concrete buildings in place of the old ones. The

authorities could also bring about a policy by which the people could take loans to

rebuild the old houses and repay the amount within a defined time frame.

Aashish Shrestha,

Pulchowk Campus