LETTERS

Another milestone

The news of ex-Gurkhas winning their battle for residential visas in the United Kingdom in London High Court marks a milestone in the struggle of the ex-Gurkhas for justice. The Gurkhas have been fighting for the British Crown for the last 200 years, be it in the first and the second world wars, the insurgency in Malaysia or in their bid to save the crown of the Sultanate of Brunei in 1966. Thousands of Gurkhas lost their lives serving the British Crown within the past two centuries.

The latest victory is only a milestone. Most of those who retired before July 1, 1997 are in their fifties now, and they won’t be able to sustain their lives in the UK despite the privileges they are getting. The most important issue is provision of pensions at par with their British counterparts. Slowly but surely the British government is bowing down to the ex-Gurkhas. Pensions for us on a par with our British counterparts are essential. Let justice prevail yet again during the British court hearing in October.

Hemant Rai, via e-mail

Take action

This concerns the news report “Two Nepalis kidnapped in Iraq” (THT, Oct 2). It is surprising how Nepali manual workers continue to find their way into Iraq despite government ban on sending workers to the war-torn country. These are among the few cases that have come to light. There is no guessing the actual number of Nepalis in Iraq. Apparently, one Swagat Manpower Company based in Kathmandu sent Chandra Bahadur Dangi to Iraq where he has now been kidnapped. Why doesn’t the government take action against the companies and other agents that continue to export manpower into the countries forbidden by the government?

Santosh Regmi, Ghattekulo

No use

Skybridges are sprouting all over the capital but hardly anyone seems to be using them. There are perhaps more people crossing the streets from just underneath the bridges than there are on the bridges going from one side of the street to the other. The bridges are full of street vendors. If the government has taken the trouble to construct these structures at huge cost, it should also ensure that the built infrastructure is being used properly. Merely adding to the country’s infrastructure without seeing to their right and timely use is akin to pouring money in the sand.

Adarsha Khanal, via e-mail

Unjust

This refers to former finance minister Ram Saran Mahat’s Edit page article “Loan waiver” (THT, Oct 2), Mahat has been harping on the need to take care of the interests of honest

borrowers and punishing defaulters while criticising the Maoist finance minister’s interest waiver on small loans. But the record shows that he himself had protected, encouraged and repeatedly appointed several dishonest and corrupt officials. ADBL testifies to this practice, as Dr Mahat appointed as its chairman cum general manager somebody who had records of accumulating bad loans and non-banking assets as well as misusing the depositors’ precious money to construct a dozen of unnecessary bank buildings. There are a number of such examples. Where had Dr Mahat’s intellect and sense of responsibility gone back then?

Ramesh B Shrestha, Lalitpur