Misuse of rights

Even when the process of constitution writing is about to take off, the various untoward incidents, many of which violent, have marred the landscape of the country that wants peace to be established as a birthright of its people. On the pretext of one demand or the other, the normal life of the people is being turned topsy-turvy. No one knows where someone would be burning tyres as a form of protest stopping all traffic movement. The terror is more on the highways where minor incidents as the scuffle between two groups of students lead to the

blocking of roads and burning of vehicles.

This brings into question the motive of the perpetrators who know nothing better than

inconvenience others who have nothing to do with their grievances. There are other means to address grievances than vandalise public and private property. Taking the law into their hands is what the protesters seem to be fond of doing. Peaceful protests are a part of any

democratic system but not one that goes to the extent of terrorising people and damaging their property. While such deplorable activities go on, the less than immediate response from the law enforcement personnel is quite frustrating. As an ordinary citizen, I hope that ways and means are found so that, despite tragic accidents on the highways or personal

grievances, problems of every sort could be resolved through peaceful means such as dialogue. This is the need of the day and everyone should realise the urgency of thinking in everyone’s interest.

Sukriti Sharma, Old Baneshwor, Kathmandu

Right move

The Vice-Chairman of the National Planning Commission (NPC), Dr Pitambar Sharma, has taken the right decision by opting to resign from his post “Sharma quits National Planning Commission” (THT, Dec. 23). This I believe will pave the way for the NPC to transform into a more competent and professional body. What strikes one as unusual is, however, Sharma’s displeasure at the government appointments. Sharma should concede that the list of government nominees includes more competent people.

Moreover, his personal dissatisfaction should not influence the government decision. In addition, the vacant seats at NPC should be filled as soon as possible.

Dr. Sital Kaji Shrestha, India

Food banks

Apropos of the edit page article “Global food crisis: Review Nepal’s agricultural policy” (THT, Dec. 22), I fully agree with Prof Pyakuryal that food insecurity has become a major impediment to guaranteeing social justice and inclusion in Nepal. Thousands of people from the remote hills in western Nepal reportedly migrate to India in order to escape starvation.

I would like to opine that Nepal should seriously consider the prospects of cultivating Genetically Modified Food (GMF) that might double the production. The government should also establish at least one food bank in every village development unit. These banks should also buy or sell food. Food stock in every bank should be centrally monitored and any bank with insufficient stocks should be instantly replenished. Such banks would help people cope with food crisis that hits many areas of the country almost every year as a result of flood and drought.

V P Sayami, Kathmandu