Welcome Takashi’s ideas:

Takashi Miyahara, a Japanese development consultant living in Nepal for the last 38 years, has once again come up with a plan to develop the tourism sector. The news “Nepal-loving Japanese business doyen’s Vision 2005” published in THT on February 19 should be an eye-opener for us. As someone who pushed for projects like building a hotel in the Everest region and working for the development of cottage industries, all Nepalis must respect his views on various issues. The best thing in his Vision 2005 is moving the capital out of Kathmandu to Narayanghat.

Bhaju Ratna Tuladhar,

Kathmandu

More jokes:

My day starts with THT and for me THT starts with Just In Jest. I firmly believe that if one’s morning passes with joy and fun, everything will go well the whole day, and for this Hi Lama’s jokes have helped me a lot. I would like to thank him for such interesting and

humorous jokes. He is increasingly becoming popular in my friends’ circle too.

It would be better if Just In Jest appeared on a daily basis for the sake of people like us. But the jokes should not be repeated.

Prashanna Napit, via e-mail

Clean Bagmati:

For years, the locals have been complaining about the unhealthy environment they live in thanks to the heavily polluted Bagmati. It is impossible to stay or travel around the Bagmati bridge, especially during the evening time when foul smell fills the vicinity. There are two

of the country’s busy hospitals near the river and the smell irritates the doctors, patients and others. Local commuters cannot help but hold their nose while passing the bridge.

It is a pity that we have not been able to do much to clean this river though ambitious plans have been prepared in the past. It would help the people if the municipal authorities and the bodies concerned acted quickly to clean the holy river.

Asha Rai, Thapathali

New page:

I am a regular reader of THT, particularly of the Sports news. The new page “Final

Countdown” dedicated to the UEFA Champions League is interesting for all the

sports-lovers like me who watch the football games late into the night. I believe this page will gather more readers for THT.

While going through the page I found that most of the writings are focused on the present status of the clubs. Since a single page has been assigned for the UEFA, I would like to suggest that you provide information about the club history and the great players who have played for these clubs. It would also be nice if you could give information about the number of times these teams have won or reached the top ranks in their national leagues and other

European leagues.

Ajit Shrestha, via e-mail

Annan’s call:

UN secretary-general Kofi Annan’s plea to Myanmar’s ruling junta to expand its constitution-drafting conference to include the opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s party, other political parties and ethnic groups is a good call.

Burma’s military rulers have long been suppressing all kinds of opposition and has placed Suu Kyi under house arrest several times. Only a meaningful political dialogue consisting of

representatives of all groups, as suggested by Annan, can lead to a good political solution of the problem.

Nirvani Rana, Dillibazar