No to petty interests

Every Muslim has the supreme desire to go for Hajj once in a lifetime. This has been the tradition for ages. The religious journey entails expenses which not all can afford. Therefore, in Nepal, a Hajj committee has been set up to facilitate devotees who have difficulty in financing their pilgrimage.

However, political interference in the affairs of the committee has made matters worse. Not

surprisingly, therefore, the committee now consists of more than 44 members

chosen on a political basis. If the funds collected for the welfare of Muslim community go into personal expenses of committee members, what’s the point in having such a committee? We must remember that a Hajj committee is formed with religious objectives. No petty political and personal interests should be allowed to influence it.

Seema Khan, via email

Change ways

The recent terror attacks in Mumbai have received worldwide condemnation. Obviously, as a friendly neighbour, the Nepal Government has also expressed the deepest sorrow over the incident.

However, it surprises me that Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal “Prachanda” has not taken tough action against criminal activities, including those being perpetrated by cadres of the Young Communist League (YCL) in his own country. PM Dahal must instruct his own cadres to stop violence so as to sound more convincing when he speaks against terrorism in the

future.

Robbyen Khodorkovsky, Kathmandu

Unenviable

Congress president Girija Prasad Koirala recently stated that he would not rest until the Constituent Assembly finishes writing the new constitution. Koirala had a number of

opportunities to serve his country best when he was the prime minister.

In fact, he had the best opportunity to lead the country ably under the 1990 constitution. But his administration has only earned Koirala an unenviable name in Nepali politics. I wonder if the suggestions he has to make regarding the writing of the new constitution is more practical. This is, however, not to say that the Maoists cannot be expected to help write the truly democratic constitution for the new Nepal. Maoist leaders need to stop thinking and acting like Marx, Lenin or Mao, but should get on with the task of writing the constitution that guarantees the fundamental freedoms of all the citizens.

Ramesh Shrestha,

via e-mail

Land reforms

Minister for Culture and Tourism Gopal Kirati has conceived the operation of some 800 farming communes across the country. If I am not mistaken, Minister Kirati is preparing to set up farming communes akin to the kibbutz of Israel.

Kibbtz in Israel have been extremely successful, not only in terms of empowering the landless but also in increasing agricultural productivity. I suggest that the land owned by the non-tillers should be brought back under public ownership. This vast agricultural land should then be converted into 800 kibbutz farms. All the landless Nepali people should be given an

opportunity to work and earn their livelihood in these farms.

V P Sayami, Kathmandu