Inhuman rebel tactic

Recently, the Maoists have abducted hundreds of civilians from different parts of the country. They have held teachers, students and other professionals against their will and compelled them to participate in their “People’s Marching Movement.” Just a few days back, Biplav, a Maoist leader of Bheri-Seti region, announced that the 350 Dalits, who have been in the Maoist captivity, have been schooled to be their cadres and would not be released. The Maoists have increased their violent activities; they are executing people or harming them in one way or the other. These activities reflect that they are not committed to the Geneva Convention.

Kumar Khanal, KU

Sad news

I was astonished by the news tilted “Schools, colleges to remain closed from June 6.” The students have been chronic victims of such strikes and bandhs as we are deprived of regular studies. It will be wise to settle the dispute by talks. I humbly request the concerned parties to withdraw this announcement. Please let us grow in peaceful milieu.

Sushi Parajuli, AVM

Educate all

I agree with the news item “Education for all remains a distant dream” published on May 22. The level of education in our country varies on the basis of sex, region and ethnicity or caste. According to the 2001 census, almost 58 per cent of Nepali women remain illiterate. The rate of literacy differs sharply by ethnic/caste structure. For example, the literacy rate of backward Musahar, Khatwe and Chamar women of Tarai, is only 3.8 per cent, 7.1 per cent and 9 per cent, respectively. So, the government’s aim of providing education for all by the year 2015 remains a distant dream. Unless the government targets these groups with special education programmes, their status cannot be improved.

Runa Dahal, KU

Implement

The School Fee Sealing Task Force and the agitating student organisations finally came to an agreement that every school has to provide teachers with salary equal to the government scale and there should not be more that 33 pupils in a class. However, I have few doubts — will private schools be transparent in their “transaction” including the amount they pay for their teachers? Will the schools submit the copy of “salary-sheet” signed by the employees to the authorities?

Only large-scale schools would follow this agreement. The medium-scale schools pay the teachers by getting them signed in blank papers, not in monthly “salary-sheet.” So, the authoritative body should implement the rules and agreements effectively.

Komal Dulal, Maitidevi

Improve

It has been decades since the country started its film industry. However, the so-called Kollywood is yet to set its mark in the international arena. Even inside the country, the status of Nepali film industry is not so shinning. Nepali movies have not been able to prove up to a certain standard to attract people to the cinema halls. Not surprisingly then, majority of the Nepalis prefer to watch Indian cinemas. Even most of the advertisements seen in the road and outside cinema halls are of Indian movies. The situation is such that all the television channels seem to promote Indian movies and serials. This day to day worsening condition demands our film industry to improve it’s standard in future, otherwise it will be left with no other options than to watch it’s viewers switching to Indian movies.

Ashesh Nasnani, via e-mail