Raise relevant issues

This is in reference to the letter titled "Be a true Nepali" by Axit Raj Poudyal dated March 5. I agree with him. Being a Nepali one must make the country rich culturally, economically and industrially. If the youth want to make the country culturally rich, they like "a true Nepali" must celebrate all the national festivals, even though they are inclined to western culture. However, for the economic and industrial progress, firstly, the people should unite and defy all bandhs which incur heavy losses upon the country and pressurise the government to provide good infrastructures like roads, communication, etc. Look at the Narangarth-Muglin highway. It has been more than eight months since the 25 km stretch of the 36 km road was washed out. The highway is dusty and at three points it has become single lane. Since the rainy season is not far away and with the Department of Roads showing no interest, there is going to be a lot of problem for the travellers and the drivers. Similarly, communication in western Chitwan has come to a halt after the Maoists destroyed the telecommunication tower at Rampur Bazzar some seven months ago. Yet there is no sign for its repair. Just imagine the situation — no roads, no phones! How is the country going to develop? I suggest the writer should raise such issues rather than only talk about preserving Nepali culture which is already so rich.

Amit Jha, Ghattekulo

Rizal’s plight

The Bhutanese leader Tek Nath Rizal and the refugees want to internationalise the issue. For this to happen Rizal must be present in the UN meet in Geneva. If Nepal sincerely wants to resolve the refugee impasse, Rizal must be given a travel document. His resolve to go on an indefinite hunger strike should move India and others to help solve this problem.

Raj Kapilashe, via e-mail

Don’t cut trees

It sickens me that trees are cut so indiscriminately in Nepal. I refer not only to numerous trees being cleared along the highways, which has resulted in trees being reduced to stumps without any room for re-growth, but also to the recent hacking of the Jacaranda trees on Durbar Marg. Last year’s glorious display of colour will not be repeated as many trees have been reduced to half their size for no apparent reason other than the obsession for neatness. And congratulations to the men who undertook this task! Clearly they had neither the correct tools or knowledge to prune trees. Why is it that a country so blessed with natural beauty has neither the wit nor willingness to preserve it?

David Irwin, via -mail

Bandh phobia

Nepal bandh has now become a trend in Nepal. It has become a popular method of protest and bandhs are called even for silly reasons. The organisers of these bandhs are grossly indifferent to its impact on economy. It is time all of us protested against bandhs. How long will we remain silent observers? We should be determined to eliminate this bandh-culture.

Sandeep Paudel, Chabahil

Good work

I live in Tucson, Arizona and although water is inexpensive, there is only one source, the Colorado River. And all over the west side of North America we are depleting the water table and the ground water is being contaminated by salt-water. In view of this, Razen Manandhar did a good job.

Padraig Armstrong, via e-mail