Uneasy silence

Barely a month ago, there were strong protests from various women’s groups, and even some women MPs, against Miss Nepal contest. According to these activists, the semi-clad women were being put up as display objects by the organisers. But why aren’t the same women expressing their support for Home Minister Bamdev Gautam’s initiative to close down all dance restaurants and bars in Kathmandu Valley, the prime sites for display of nudity.

Suraj Pandey, Institute of Engineering

Mixed up

Maoist lawmaker Jayapuri Gharti Magar’s interview (THT, Sept 9) brings to the fore two points. One of priority thoroughly mixed, and the other of double standard. For her, stopping the beauty contest is a high priority. Surely, this is a non-issue when compared to many important issues that need to be addressed immediately to build a new Nepal.

She argues that beauty contests are a feature of a “Capitalistic Economy”, which, by the way, the Maoist-led government has publicly embraced to achieve “Economic Miracle” for the nation. She must also be reminded that many of her leaders wear coats and pants, which are also the products of the “Capitalistic Economy”.

Such irresponsible public utterances show that the Maoists have thoroughly mixed up their priorities and are adopting double standards. And such statements coming from a responsible member of a ruling party can only send wrong signals to the people.

Shristi Yadav, Janakpur

He’s a hero

Sections of the Nepali media seems hell-bent on tarnishing the image of Matrika Yadav. However, at the grassroots level, I have found that people appreciate what he is doing. The country cannot move forward if the same laws that were introduced by feudal monarchy 250 years ago are perpetuated. If we want to build a new Nepal, property relations have to be totally redefined.

Kedar P Badu, via e-mail

No wrong

This is in response to the letter “Two sides of the same coin” (THT, Sept 17) concerning a Caesarean performed under candlelight in Koshi Zonal Hospital. During normal times, there is no question that such a risky operation should not go ahead, but in cases where life hangs in

balance, it is better to do something rather than look on helplessly. Besides, the

regional hospitals cannot be expected to be equipped with the latest instruments available in medical centres in urban areas.

Shiv Shankar Shah, Janakpurdham

It hurts

Nepalis are peace-loving, proud people. The movement of Indian security personnel into Nepali territory, even for the noble purpose of reconstructing the damaged Koshi

embankments, will hurt Nepali sentiments. The Indian security men should only have been deployed in line with the minimum standards of international law. It is a general principle of international relations that a nation-state should respect the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of anaother nation-state. The concerned authorities in Nepal must take such issues seriously.

Manohar Karki, via e-mail