Saying no to bundhs

Apropos of the news brief “Bundh free district” (THT, Dec 9) I salute the people of Dhankuta for taking the remarkable step of banning bundhs in the district.

The frequent bundhs and shutdowns have not only affected daily lives of the people but have had a tremendous adverse impact on trade and business activities. Disputes can be reasonably settled through negotiations. The practice of calling for bundhs, especially for insignificant objectives, should not be allowed to disturb peace and stablility. It is time that the government outlawed such closures.

Mallicka Shrestha, Vanasthali, Kathmandu

Out of breath

It is a matter of concern that hospitals in the eastern parts of the country are suffering from an acute shortage of oxygen “Eastern region complains of breathlessness” (THT, Dec 9). Oxygen is the lifeline for patients, especially those under intensive care. It is shameful of the hospital authorities not to have replenished their stocks, though the lives of hudreds of patients are at risk.

Moreover, why has the government turned a blind eye to the fact that many hospitals and health posts, especially those in the rural areas, are still being run by non-medical people? Such things have been happening because of official indifference.

Worse still, while some hospitals are known to have stored expensive equipment

without ever bringing them to use, others do not even posses basic facilities for treatment. Politicisation of hospitals has added to the problem. The government will face such problems while implementing its policy of making basic health services free to all citizens. The question is, how will it solve them?

Dipa Baral, Pokhara

Focus

It was shocking to hear Tourism Minister Hisila Yami remark that the CPN-UML youth wing, Youth Force (YF), should be dissolved. If Minister Yami believes that structural reforms are

necessary in the youth organisations, the efforts should begin with the Young Communist League (YCL). YF, which was formed much later, has only followed the footsteps of YCL.

If YF is responsible for criminal activities, YCL too does not have too many feathers on its cap. It is necessary that all activities that are illegal should be checked and the guilty punished. Otherwise, it would be impossible to maintain the law and order properly, and the

general people would not feel secure.

Dwaipayan Regmi, College of Business and Social

Studies, Biratnagar

Be alert

After having read an advertisement regarding an educational training programme from a reputed institution, I inquired if I could participate. But as soon as they came to know my professional identity, my request was turned down. An educator myself, I was eager to be a part of the advertised programme so as to gain more knowledge in the field of Montessori education — the field I have been engaged in for years now.

This is just to illustrate the point that there are many training institutes in the capital that do not give value for your money, and some of them are cheats. Alertness on the part of

aspiring trainees is therefore required.

Sara Lep, Kathmandu