Need for an

alternative Pashupatinath and Boudhanath are two major tourist destinations in Nepal. The actual distance on foot from Pashupatinath temple to Boudha is mere 30 minutes, but it takes not less than one hour if we go by any vehicle. It is hard to believe and sounds funny, but it is the truth. This is due to increasing traffic jams in Chabahil. And the problem of pollution too is growing. This area is one of the most populated localities in Kathmandu. All the paddy fields along the banks of Dhobikhola, Kapan, Maijubahal, Kumarigal, Mahankal, Boudha and Jorpati are full of modern buildings. If only the concerned authorities showed some interest, traffic problem in Chabahil can easily be solved. The only solution is to use direct road to Boudha via Kumarigal for vehicles going towards Sundarijal, Sankhu, Gokarna and Thali. This is the shortest way which links Boudhanath and Pashupatinath. Most tourist guides use this way as it links both the world heritage site in just five minutes in a bus. But right now the main road in Kumarigal is in a very bad condition. This road should be repaired as Kumarigal is going to be another favourite tourist area like Thamel in the future.

Pravesh Lamichhane,

via e-mail

Comment

I visited Nepal in 1992. That time, the country was doing fine as democracy was being strengthened. However, rise of the Maoist insurgency and the following political developments have ruined this beautiful country. There has been growing instances of human rights violations by security forces on pro-democracy demonstrators. I am of the opinion that rules need to be set and all violators of human rights should be taken to court. Government must be held accountable to the public. If not, then the matter should be forwarded to the international tribunal.

John Hopkins, via e-mail

Make peace

Thousands of anti-regression protestors are defying the orders of the government and creating disturbance in the major parts of the city. The brick-batting between the demonstrators and cops can never solve any problem. The capacity of the five political parties is clear to all. Current instability and trauma is the outcome of their poor performance in the last 13 years. They are throwing dust in the eyes of innumerable students and using a lot of them in the name of politics as they have their own axe to grind. All these parties are birds of the same feather because now, when they have no leg to stand on, they seem to be united. I think Nepali media should not give them so much importance and carry stories of their agitation on the front page. They are disturbing peaceful existence in the city. They are acting as a barrier for students. They are destroying the infrastructure in the city. Blowing their own trumpets at the current situation is not fair. They should bury all differences and show a bit of maturity and responsibility. We are in strained circumstances. Do not leave young students like us in sheer frustration.

Jayash Paudel, Kathmandu

Request

I have been observing that you have stopped giving the schedules of movie channels and have started keeping movie hall banners instead. If the banners are that important to the newspaper and to most readers, then please try and squeeze in the movie schedules by either making the message board smaller or by reducing the size of the comic strips. I hope you will consider this request.

Marius, Boudha