Role models

The awarding of Gruber International Women’s Rights Prize to Nepali woman activist Sapana Pradhan Malla is a solemn reminder of the fact that even amid constant political upheavel some people have worked relentlessly for the betterment of Nepali society. Last year, eye specialist Dr Sanduk Ruit was given the prestigious Roman Magsaysay award for his

untiring devotion to treatment of cataract in Nepal and many other poor countries around the world. Mahabir Pun is another reminder that hard work and working for people’s cause get recognition and rewarded sooner or later. My heartfelt thanks to all three for making us Nepalis proud.

Suman Dahal, Ghattekulo

Endangered

The number of tigers in protected areas of Nepal has been decreasing for the last few months. The biggest threat to tigers is undoubtedly the poachers who in turn are protected by politicians. Laws alone are not enough to protect wild cats in absence of a rigorous implementation mechanism. The government staff, security personnel and local

communities should join hands to protect these beautiful beasts.

Hari Krishna Laudari,

Institue of Forestry, Pokhara

Hard times

This is in reference to the news report “Doctors on strike nationwide” (THT, July 10). That some professionals in government hospitals are not much bothered about their

patients is a well-known fact. But at the same time, there are doctors who really care about the wellbeing of their patients. So far as I know, medical doctors have had a tough time of late in Nepal. However, at the same time, highly educated groups like medical doctors need to be aware that they don’t trample on the rights of others while protecting their own rights.

Shiva Neupane, Melbourne

Baseless

Maoist leader Top Bahadur Rayamajhi’s claim that Madhes doesn’t exist in the country is baseless. Many of Nepal’s historic documents refer to the long stretch of Tarai belt as ‘Madhes’. Let me also remind Rayamajhi that even before regional parties like MJF or TMDP came into existence, his own party (the CPN-Maoist) had named its sister association ‘Madhesi Rastriya Mukti Morcha’. How absurd that a top member of the same party should call the existence of Madhes

into question!

Ashish Jha, Saptari

Exodus

Nepalis time and again get to hear about labourers getting stranded in foreign countries. Nepali youths being fleeced by manpower agencies in the name of lucrative foreign

employment is certainly not a new phenomenon. Many blame the government for not being able to provide employment opportunities at home, thus forcing them to migrate. Students, too, are travelling to Western countries in droves to fulfil their academic dreams.

The result is that the country is facing an acute shortage of manpower. In order to control the outflow of youths, the government should create more jobs at home. Next, job security should be guaranteed so that workers feel secure working in their own country. It is equally important to impart right skills to the youth to make them capable citizens of new Nepal.

Pratik Shrestha, via e-mail