Fraudulent agencies

While the Home Minister, Bamdev Gautam, has been busy cracking down on hapless street vendors all these days, he seems to have turned a blind eye to other criminal activities. For

instance, Nepalis continue to be duped by fraudulent manpower agencies. These agencies not only exact huge sums of money from labourers but are learnt to have sent them to some countries illegally.

As a result, hundreds of Nepalis have not only been stranded in foreign countries but have also run into heavy debts. At a time when unemployment is scaling new heights, Nepali

labourers in their sheer desperation are compelled to look abroad for employment opportunities. But absence of some specific government regulations on foreign employment has left many job seekers in the lurch. The government needs to take strict measures so as to be able to control the illegal export of labourers to foreign countries.

Richard Archambault, USA

Grave matter

Apropos of the news report “Graveyard denies resting place for Mumbai villains” (THT, Dec 1), I’m shocked to learn that the dead terrorists were not allowed to be buried in the Muslim

graveyard.

I agree that the crime the terrorists committed is unforgivable. But it should also be understood that we are all children of god. We as humans should have respect for humanity. The best way to tame those who have strayed is to show them the right path. Moreover, don’t we all know that religion above all else is the love for humanity?

Tejaswee Kunwar, Baluwatar, Kathmandu

Traffic woes

The Midway article “On the death row” (THT, Dec 2) has sketched traffic woes of the Valley in a humorous, yet truthful manner. Opting to be a pedestrian in Kathmandu is to invite real trouble, thanks to the narrow and perpetually clogged streets, over-speeding vehicles, overwhelming number of two-wheelers, abandoned domestic animals and people who deliberately flout traffic rules. However, pedestrians are equally responsible for road mishaps. People walking haphazardly on busy roads and crossing roads at the wrong places are also causes of accidents. In my opinion, one thing we all can do to minimise the number of road accidents is by following the traffic rules and regulations, religiously.

Yogesh Uprety, Dhapakhel, Kathmandu

Change

Though Nepal has moved into a new era, we have yet not been able to rid ourselves of the old mindset. Change cannot take place overnight. But this can start when we gradually make ourselves accustomed to change. The old feudal system has to give in to the new social order. In the process, it is necessary that we acknowledge the supremacy of the working class.

It is sad, however, that the new government instead continues to inflict upon the poor more pain and sorrow. The government should stop repressing the working class like what characterised the bourgeois governments of the past. We expect the government to ensure the fundamental freedoms of all — the pursuit of life, liberty and happiness — and abolish class-based discrimination prevalent in our society.

Swaraj Bhavana, via e-mail