Lot more to be done

This refers to the photograph of the contestants of Miss Tourism Queen 2005 published in THT on May 17. Rachna Gurung Sharma has rightly said, “There is still a lot to be done. First and foremost, awareness is a must.” While grooming the contestant, they must be made aware, among other things, that sunglasses are meant for outdoors, especially during blaring sunlight and not necessary while munching noodle inside a café.

It makes one look stupidly smart or rather smartly stupid. Hair colours are today’s trend, we all agree, but if it appears like soy sauce mistakenly poured onto one’s hair it lends an

altogether different air. The contest is meant to represent not just the contestant’s

image but that of the nation too. It helps to be careful before one treads this path. Remember, the contest is meant to promote and not to dwindle tourism.

Subhala Limbu, via e-mail

No mistakes

Nepal is now on its way to metamorphose into a peaceful country once again. It could not maintain law and order after the restoration of democracy in 1990. During the 14-year-long democratic rule, the country witnessed a good number of strikes, vandalism and damage to life and property besides violence.

However, the political leaders spent more time in scheming to topple governments than

strengthening them. The people were sidelined. The political situation was so unhealthy that red tape and nepotism took hold. Protests became a routine. Any party that was given mandate to form a government could not complete a full term.

The leaders have now joined forces to launch a movement. They have, though belatedly, sat

together, confabulated and decided to restore democracy and reinstate parliament. Now that has at least happened, the leaders should not repeat the past mistakes.

If they repeat the mistakes, the people will not forgive them this time. Again, they should never forget that they are there for the country and the people, not for their vested and petty personal interests. They are there to address people’s problems and not misuse democracy. Initiation of peace talks with the Maoist rebels should be high on agenda. Their problems should be addressed and all-out efforts made to bring them back into the national mainstream.

K K Limboo, R K Limboo, Kirit Subba, via e-mail

Arsenic-laced

There is very little ordinary people can do to stop drinking arsenic-laced ground water (THT, May 17) in several districts in Tarai. The IDS-Nepal study which found some two million Nepalis affected by arsenic through drinking water is a serious revelation. Five per cent of the 500,000 water sources that were tested were contaminated with arsenic.

Arsenic is a mineral that has harmful effects on human health. It is a toxic element and Western history is replete with evidence of arsenic poisoning administered to people,

including Napoleon while he was in prison.

It is time the government utilised water resources and expanded its drinking water projects to these areas. Spring water from hills could be distributed to them. All it takes is an honest desire to do so. The government must think seriously about solving the drinking water of the people in Tarai.

Sri Hari Khatiwoda, Birgunj