Practical steps necessary:

Since I have been an admirer of THT owing to the wide coverage it offers for the readers of different tastes, I go through your editorials, critical write-ups, letter column, articles and news items.

The editorial “Surprise checks” of February 7 was an eye opener not only for the ailing patients but also for the corrupt medical practitioners. The formation of a five-member monitoring committee under the Ministry of Health is no doubt a welcome gesture. But to earn the whole-hearted support of the civil society, a result-oriented approach is necessary.

Many medicos do everything to pull the suffering patients into the fold of their private practice. While doing so, they ignore their solemn vow to serve the ailing people. This holds true for other sectors as well. There is a need to bring about a change in the way hospitals and government institutions are run. Let’s be optimistic that something positive will soon happen.

N B Katuwal, Min Bhawan

Helpless:

A large segment of the Madhesi community in Nepal is facing discrimination in their own land even in the 21st century. No government till now has adequately addressed their grievances. Though it is said that the literacy rate of Madhesi people is quite high, they have not been given equal opportunity to come into the mainstream development activities and take up jobs in various fields. It is the duty of the State to solve their problems and give them their due.

Amit Kumar Jha, via e-mail

Good wishes:

The Nepali cricket team has just left for the ICC World Cup trophy. This is a matter of pride for us and we should encourage our players and provide them with moral support to win this trophy in order to qualify for the World Cup.

World Cup cricket is a much coveted event as great teams of the world, including Asian cricket-playing nations, participate in it. Undoubtedly, it will be interesting to watch our team play in this prestigious match. Though Nepal is yet to prove to be a cricket-playing country in the international circuit, we should not underestimate our ability. We should learn from teams like Kenya that reached the World Cup semi-final and played very well against the great Indian team. Success comes after hard work and team effort; so let us wish our Nepali team all the best.

Ganesh Niraula, Birganj

Do the needful:

I would like to draw the attention of the readers and the concerned authorities towards the discouraging academic environment prevailing in the Department of English, Tribhuvan University. Instead of instilling hope among students by engaging in a healthy educational endeavour, this department is fast becoming a source of frustration.

The reason: Over-ambitious course, irresponsibility among the majority of the lecturers; disillusionment among the few able teachers and a flawed exam system.

The exam is held only once in the entire academic year and that too without the completion of the course. To add to the woes of the students, the marking system is very rigid. How can students be expected to excel through such a hodge-podge academic prescription?

The authorities should assess the situation and do the needful. That might even mean reconsidering the syllabus and rectifying administrative and other errors.

Nirajan Thapaliya, Kapan