Create parking space:

I would like to draw the attention of the concerned authorities to the haphazard microbus parking practice at Balkhu Chowk. The road leading to Kalimati from the Chowk is very narrow and remains clogged with vehicles during rush hours. The situation is made worse by microbuses that stop on the road to pick up passengers to Ratnapark and Baneswor. This has continued for the last couple of months but traffic police seem least bothered about the hardships faced by the people. The Chowk is also the main entry portal for trucks entering the core areas of the city after seven at night. I wonder why the traffic police allow the microbuses to stop there to pick up passengers. But the same traffic police charge a fine for pulling up a vehicle even for a minute in the no-parking area elsewhere. They have turned a blind eye to this particular problem even though they know that the microbuses cause the traffic snarl at Balkhu Chowk. It seems that microbus owners and traffic police have forged a mysterious understanding. There is a space available on the other side of Ring Road at Balkhu which the traffic police need to utilise to park the microbuses.

Ameer Sharma, Balkhu

Quite a relief:

I am very happy to read news and articles that are of importance to the general public these days in the newspapers. I am particularly impressed by the write-ups on pet keeping, environmental topics, development activities and social issues like the recently published article on widows determined to wear red henceforth. Issues that interest the readers and are relevant to our day-to-day activities should be given more importance rather than repeated interviews of corrupt politicians to the distaste of many. Too much emphasis on politics can make a newspaper boring to that segment which seldom reads political write-ups.

Kusum Shahi, Chairman, Diana Travels and Tours, Thamel

Save culture:

Richa Adhikari deserves sincere appreciation for her concern over the declining cultural and traditional habits of the Nepalis. I would like to add one more comment to her letter “Culture” published in THT on February 7. Every country has its own traditional way of greeting people. The Japanese bow three times with folded hands; the Europeans shake hands firmly; Muslims embrace and kiss on the cheek several times; Tibetans bow and touch each other’s forehead. A Namaste, needless to say, is the traditional Nepali way of greeting people. But it is gradually being replaced by the Western style of greeting. Surprisingly, it is not only the young ones who are avoiding the tradition but even the senior citizens too who often resort to shaking hands. It is important to preserve our culture, and greeting others in our own Nepali style is one way of doing so.

Dorji Tsering Sherpa, Galfutar

Alarming drop:

Garment exports to the US have dropped by a whopping 46 per cent during the month of January compared to the corresponding period last year. Because the US happens to offer the biggest market to Nepali garments, a shrinking market is a nightmare for the garment industry. If the termination of the multi-fibre arrangement from January 1, 2005 is responsible for such a slide, the government must do all it can to prop up the exports. Especially after Nepal’s entry into the World Trade Organisation, it cannot afford to keep idle on these sensitive fronts.

Upasana Khadka, Kathmandu