Encouraging growth

Recent news reports about an increase in the number of tourists visiting the country are gratifying. Most of the hotels in the capital and other tourist destinations are reported to have full occupancy. This augurs well for the country’s tourism industry. I want to congratulate Minster for Tourism Hisila Yami and officials of the Ministry for being able to accomplish this feat. I am optimistic that under the able leadership of the Maoist-led government, the tourism industry of Nepal will move ahead by leaps and bounds.

J M Talachabhadell, Lalitpur

Obscure

UNMIN Chief Ian Martin has stated that the peace process hangs in a state of uncertainty as long as we have two separate armies in the country, the Nepal Army (NA) and the People’s

Liberation Army (PLA). I do not see how anybody could disagree with this statement. Martin has time and again maintained that the fighters in the PLA should be integrated and rehabilitated. However, neither the state, nor the UNMIN, seems to have a clear idea about how this job should be undertaken. It seems the Comprehensive Peace Accord does not clearly stipulate the terms and condition for army integration. The citizens’ forums, human rights activists, and the Nepal Bar Association should urgently come forward to clear the cloud of uncertainty.

V P Sayami, Kathmandu

Mental health

In our society, mental health issues are often ignored. However, the Central Association of Psychology Students (CAPS), Tribhuvan University (TU), in association with Central

Department of Psychology, TU, celebrated World Mental Health Day on October 10, 2007, in Kirtipur. We are also planning to organise a programme after Tihar vacation. The main objective of the programme will be to raise awareness about mental health. Lack of awareness of mental health has led people to suffer from severe depression and other mental disorders. We hope our small effort will serve to enlighten TU students on mental health issues.

Pramesh Man Pradhan, Secretary, CAPS

Mistake

Apropos of the news report “NOC takes global cue, slashes petrol price” (THT, Oct. 26), I’m utterly confused as to the standard used for measuring the volume of crude oil. In my knowledge, a barrel of oil is equivalent to 117.34 litres, while your news report stated 159 litres. I hope such mistakes are not repeated.

Shailesh Kumar Sharma, via e-mail

Co-operate

Intra-country, regional and global efforts are prioritised by governments across the world to encourage and strengthen the field of research and technology. In recent days, Nepal has also been a partner in several of those initiatives. Nepal has the potential of being developed as a venue for organising research programmes. Educational establishments and research centres in Nepal should co-operate with international institutions to promote such activities in the country. The infrastructure built in the process would serve both international and national students to be aware of the global issues.

Marquish Doranga, via e-mail