Food for thought

I am a student of journalism and food science. I studied journalism in Nepal and came to Australia to learn about food technology. The Nepali media and publication houses are only interested in covering politics. I think areas, including the wonderful world of food, should also receive priority. Talking about food science can raise awareness among the people about nutrition and also hygiene.

Shiva Neupane,

Melbourne, Australia

Stop it

This is in reference to the article “Crime or Punishment?” (THT, May 3). Glue sniffing is increasing among street children.Their low price and easy availability has increased the use. The most common form of glue used by children in called Dendrite. Dendrite is even used as a substitute for regular meals. Milk packets and polyurethane bags are generally used to contain the dendrite for easy inhalation. Glue sniffing can cause neurological damage, damage to blood and bone marrow, kidney or liver failure, paralysis and even death. To stop glue sniffing, the government should make it illegal.

Prativa Rai, St. Xavier’s College

Time wasted

The issues made by all the political parties and media are just a waste of time. All the parties concerned should be

willing to put some effort and energy towards the development of the country, the economic crisis, the load shedding problems, employment issues, commodities’ price control, law enforcement and crime control, rural development programmes, education programme, health issue etc.

It will not only improve the country’s image, and but could direct the country’ leadership and people in the right direction. As for the general public, the military issue is not important as they belong to the central government and we are civilians. Whoever is in the post of chief of the army staff is not a concern for civilians as they are there to protect the country. Why do we dwell on this issue which is not a public concern?

Paul Nachiring, via e-mail

Unity

Apropos of the news “NC backs Nepal as next PM” (THT, May 8), this is time for a national unity government but some political parties are again lobbing for a majority government, which is unfortunate for the country. The ongoing peace process will

derail, the constitution writing process will not finish within the stipulated time and a stable government is impossible without United CPN (Maoist).

Why did the Maoists sack the chief of the army staff without taking other parties in confidence is clear from their

recently released videotape. The Maoist should regain their lost credibility by taking other parties into confidence by giving

continuity to the politics of consensus. The case of the President reprieve is still with the Supreme Court. So, if the Maoists think they are a democratic force they should wait for the Apex Court’s verdict. The Maoists do have the popular vote, so they should initiate the formation of a national unity government by sorting out their differences. All the political parties should bear responsibility for breaking the ice of political deadlock. The need of the country is a national unity government to bring the ongoing peace process to the logical end.

David Kainee, Attariya, Kailali

Consensus

With the resignation of Prachanda, the nation has been plunged into a sea of chaos. In my opinion, today’s need is the formation of a national consensus government. Looking back at the history of Nepalese politics, it is unfortunate that at this juncture of government formation, the parties are busy in calculating arithmetic weightage rather than allocating wide consensus. It has been clearly reflected in the case of presidential elections. The failure of Prachanda’s government was due to the lack of consensus among the parties. So the parties should stress forming a national government irrespective of who is going to lead the upcoming government.

Prakash Bhattarai, via e-mail

Shameful

It’s really a matter of embarrassment that the politicians boasting about constructing a so called ‘new Nepal’ are found compelling the students to attend the political rallies, pelting stones, striking in the colleges and so on.

Vaibhav Pandey,

Nepal Engineering College